Trish Turner Resigns from IRS Digital Assets Division After Brief Tenure

According to Cointelegraph, Trish Turner has stepped down as the head of the United States Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) digital assets division, a position she held for approximately three months. Turner announced her resignation in a LinkedIn post, expressing gratitude for her two-decade-long career at the IRS. She highlighted the collaborative efforts in navigating complex challenges and establishing foundational programs for the IRS’s digital asset strategy, which has evolved from a niche focus to a mainstream concern. Turner is reportedly transitioning to the private sector, though she did not specify her next role in her announcement. However, Bloomberg Tax reported that Turner will join Crypto Tax Girl as the tax director. This move was confirmed by Crypto Tax Girl founder Laura Walter, who expressed enthusiasm about Turner’s upcoming contributions, especially in light of significant changes in crypto tax and compliance on the horizon. Turner’s departure comes shortly after her appointment in May, following the exits of Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee and Seth Wilks, who were initially brought in from the private sector to lead the IRS’s crypto unit. Economist Timothy Peterson humorously remarked on Turner’s career shift, likening it to leaving the "Dark Side" to become a "Crypto Jedi Knight." The focus on crypto taxation in the U.S. has intensified, with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) proposing a 20% reduction in the IRS workforce in March. Additionally, the House Committee on Ways and Means and Oversight Subcommittee leadership scheduled a July hearing to discuss necessary steps for establishing a tax policy framework for digital assets. Earlier, on April 11, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a resolution overturning a rule from the previous administration that would have mandated decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to report transactions to the IRS. Cointelegraph attempted to contact Trish Turner for further comments but did not receive a response before publication.