WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS is drafting a plan to cut the workforce by half through a mix of layoffs, attrition and incentive acquisitions, according to two people familiar with the situation.
People spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday. Because they were not allowed to disclose the plan.
Layoffs are part of that The Trump Administration's efforts Reduce the size of Federal Workforce Through a billionaire Elon Musk The government's efficiency department will shut down government agencies, fire almost all probation employees who have not yet acquired civil service protection, and provide acquisitions to almost all federal employees through a “deferred resignation program” to quickly reduce the government's workforce.
He said the IRS will be “dysfunctional” due to the reduction in the power of tens of thousands of employees.
According to the latest IRS data, federal tax collectors employ a total of around 90,000 workers across the United States. People of color make up 56% of the IRS workforce, while women make up 65%.
already, Approximately 7,000 probation IRS employees In February, services for less than a year were fired from the organization.
The organization also offered IRS employees the acquisition of the “resignation program” along with almost all federal employees across the government. 2025 Tax Season Earlier this month, they were told they would not be allowed to accept a purchase offer from the Trump administration until mid-May after taxpayers filed it.
In addition to the planned layoffs, the Trump administration intends to lend IRS workers to the Department of Homeland Security to help enforce immigrants. in Letter sent in FebruaryDHS Executive Director Christie Noem asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent to rent IRS workers to support ongoing immigration crackdown efforts.
Koskinen and six other former IRS commissioners wrote in the New York Times earlier this month:
According to White House Notes The agency sent to federal agencies in late February will prepare a report on the reductions in mandatory plans by March 13, but it is unclear whether the White House will approve the IRS restructuring plan, and during which period it will take place.
Representatives from the White House, the Treasury Department and the IRS did not respond to Associated Press' requests for comment. The New York Times first reported deliberations.
