The IRS will begin laying off approximately 6,000 employees, primarily targeting recent hires, as part of the Trump administration’s federal workforce downsizing strategy. These layoffs affect probationary employees with less job protection. IRS managers have instructed employees to report to the office with their government equipment. The layoffs, occurring during tax filing season, raise concerns among former officials and Democrats about disruptions in service for taxpayers. Republican lawmakers have long supported IRS cuts and accused the agency of political bias. Meanwhile, there is a notable increase in job applications from IRS employees seeking new positions in the tax community.
The Internal Revenue Service is set to lay off approximately 6,000 employees starting Thursday, part of the Trump administration’s initiative to reduce the size of the federal workforce, according to three individuals familiar with the agency’s plans.
These layoffs will primarily affect employees who were hired more recently at the I.R.S., which the Biden administration had sought to enhance with increased funding and additional staff, as per the sources who wished to remain anonymous due to not being authorized to speak publicly.
In recent days, the Trump administration has initiated the termination of probationary employees across the federal government, individuals who have less job security compared to their more experienced counterparts.
I.R.S. managers communicated on Wednesday that employees should come to the office in the following days and return their government-issued equipment, based on messages accessed by The New York Times. The I.R.S. employs about 100,000 accountants, attorneys, and other personnel nationwide.
“According to an executive order, the I.R.S. has been instructed to dismiss probationary employees who were not considered essential for the filing season,” one email stated. “We lack many details that we are allowed to disclose, but this is all related to adherence to the executive order.”
The layoffs are occurring amid the tax filing season. Former I.R.S. officials and Democratic lawmakers have cautioned that such a significant reduction in staff could hinder millions of Americans from filing their taxes smoothly this year, despite assurances that those deemed “critical” would not be affected. Representatives for both the I.R.S. and the Treasury Department did not respond immediately to requests for comments.
Republicans have consistently advocated for cuts within the I.R.S., accusing the agency of taking politically motivated actions against conservatives. Some legislators, including President Trump’s appointee to head the agency, have proposed dismantling the tax collecting body. Mr. Trump appointed Billy Long, a former Republican congressman, to lead the I.R.S., taking the rare step of replacing former commissioner Daniel Werfel.
Mr. Trump has previously targeted the I.R.S. with a prolonged hiring freeze, and the Department of Homeland Security has requested I.R.S. agents to assist in immigration enforcement activities.
A member of Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency has also demanded extensive access to the sensitive taxpayer records of the tax agency.
“There’s an influx of résumés from current I.R.S. employees seeking positions throughout the tax sector,” stated Dave Kautter, who served as acting head of the agency and was part of the Treasury Department during Mr. Trump’s first term. “Law firms are receiving a considerable number of résumés, and accounting firms are also getting quite a few.”