Turner Steps Down After Three Months
Trish Turner has stepped down from her position leading the Internal Revenue Service’s crypto division after just three months in the role. The departure marks another leadership change in the agency’s digital asset unit, which has faced frequent turnover as it develops taxation frameworks for cryptocurrencies.
Turner announced her decision on LinkedIn, closing out more than 20 years with the IRS. She highlighted her contributions in shaping the agency’s digital asset strategy during the industry’s shift from niche investments to mainstream financial tools.
Move to Private Sector Signals Industry Trend
Turner will join cryptocurrency tax advisory firm Crypto Tax Girl as tax director, according to Bloomberg Tax. Laura Walter, the company’s founder, confirmed the appointment and emphasized Turner’s expertise will help clients navigate major tax and compliance changes ahead.
Turner noted she intends to continue working on digital asset taxation from the private sector and to build stronger connections between regulators and industry stakeholders.
IRS Crypto Division Faces Ongoing Instability
Turner’s resignation continues a pattern of instability within the IRS crypto unit. She succeeded Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee and Seth Wilks, both of whom left after roughly a year in leadership roles.
The IRS is under pressure to develop a robust compliance framework for digital assets. However, recent workforce cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency, including a 20% reduction at the agency, have raised concerns about its ability to retain specialized expertise.
On July 4, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration also called for changes in how the IRS criminal investigation division handles cryptocurrency cases, underscoring the growing complexity of supervising the sector.
