Trish Turner Resigns as IRS Crypto Chief Amid Regulatory Expansion

Trish Turner, who was appointed as the head of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Digital Assets Division in early 2025, has resigned from the role just over three months into her tenure [1]. Her departure, announced via LinkedIn, did not include specific details about her future plans [2]. However, multiple reports confirm that she has joined the private sector, becoming a director at CTG, a tax compliance firm that specializes in digital assets [3].

Turner’s resignation occurs amid a period of significant regulatory development in the cryptocurrency space, particularly with the IRS moving forward with the implementation of new tax reporting rules for digital assets [5]. Her role was expected to be pivotal in enforcing the 1099-DA broker reporting requirement, which mandates that cryptocurrency platforms report transactions to the IRS [2]. Her brief tenure has raised questions about the agency’s ability to maintain leadership continuity and effectively execute its strategy in the face of rapid regulatory and technological change [5].

Turner’s career at the IRS spanned over two decades, during which she became a central figure in the agency’s digital asset policy framework [2]. Her leadership was seen as a stabilizing force during a period of heightened scrutiny over crypto-related tax compliance. However, her exit highlights the challenges of managing complex digital asset regulations in a sector that continues to evolve at an accelerated pace [4]. Some industry observers have suggested that the frequent turnover of senior IRS officials may slow down the agency’s ability to adapt to the crypto landscape, particularly as more businesses and individuals shift toward decentralized financial tools [6].

The timing of her resignation has also sparked speculation about the broader regulatory environment for digital assets. With key leadership roles remaining unfilled, the IRS faces uncertainty in maintaining its momentum in enforcing compliance initiatives [5]. Turner’s move to the private sector is viewed as a strategic career shift, allowing her to apply her institutional expertise to a market that is increasingly focused on tax compliance solutions for digital assets [3].

While the IRS has not yet announced a successor to Turner, the agency’s continued efforts to regulate digital assets suggest that the focus on crypto taxation will remain a priority. The regulatory landscape is expected to remain in flux, with global policymakers working to balance innovation with oversight. Turner’s departure underscores the challenges faced by government agencies in keeping pace with the speed of technological and market developments [4].

Source: [1] IRS Crypto Head Trish Turner Resigns From The Agency (https://cointelegraph.com/news/irs-crypto-boss-trish-turner-resigns-after-3-months-in-the-role)

[2] IRS official Trish Turner resigns to become director of ... (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/2ab1bd4c-b19c-4534-b3c3-843516e0e4f8)

[4] IRS Crypto Leader to Leave Amid Agency Executive Departures (https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report-international/irs-crypto-leader-to-leave-amid-agency-executive-departures)

[5] IRS crypto chief Trish Turner exits amid new tax rules (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/irs-crypto-chief-trish-turner-exits-amid-new-tax-rules/ar-AA1L375J?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds)