IRS to slash thousands of workers off the payroll: report
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly cutting thousands of probationary workers as tax season ramps up, according to a report by The Associated Press. This announcement comes shortly after the Trump administration directed agencies to terminate most probationary workers who have not obtained civil service protection.
The exact number of employees affected by these layoffs has not been confirmed, but it is expected to potentially impact hundreds of thousands of people, as per the AP report. The move to reduce the workforce at the IRS could have significant implications for taxpayers as they navigate the complexities of the tax season.
In addition to the probationary cuts, President Donald Trump issued an order on Jan. 29, stating that federal employees who did not return to in-person work by early February would be dismissed. Approximately 65,000 employees have already accepted a buyout offer that was extended to them.
Interestingly, IRS employees involved in the 2025 tax season, which commenced on Jan. 27, are not eligible for the buyout until after the taxpayer filing deadline, according to a recent letter sent to IRS employees.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responsible for eliminating wasteful government spending and increasing efficiency, aims to trim $2 trillion from the federal government budget by eliminating programs and reducing the federal workforce. This directive aligns with the broader goal of streamlining government operations and cutting unnecessary expenditures.
The IRS had previously announced its commitment to enhancing tax filing seasons in 2023 and 2024 through additional resources. This effort was part of a broader initiative to improve taxpayer service and ensure a smooth filing process for Americans.
The Biden administration’s Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act allocated $80 billion to hire 87,000 new IRS agents, with a specific focus on targeting middle-class Americans. This funding was intended to bolster IRS operations and improve tax compliance efforts.
Over the past two filing seasons, the IRS has seen service levels at around 85% and wait times averaging less than 5 minutes on main phone lines. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in the number of taxpayers served at Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide, reflecting ongoing improvements in IRS operations.
Looking ahead, the IRS anticipates receiving more than 140 million tax returns during the current tax season. This high volume underscores the importance of efficient and effective IRS operations in processing returns and assisting taxpayers.
As of Saturday night, the IRS and Department of Treasury had not responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. The evolving situation at the IRS underscores the broader shifts in federal workforce management and the impact on taxpayer services during the tax season.
Alexandra Koch, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, authored this article. With a background in covering breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast, Alexandra brings a wealth of experience to her reporting on current events.
