The document was shared exclusively in a Nov. 8 letter to Iowa state senators. washington examinerThe IRS noted that of the 2,044 employees who reported balances totaling $12 million or more, 860 employees still have unpaid past due taxes. Of the 70 employees who “deliberately evaded” paying taxes, only 20 were fired.
“We haven't seen a tax revolt like this since the Boston Tea Party,” Ernst said in a statement. “Hardworking Americans who evade taxes face steep fines and prison sentences, but tax collectors in Washington believe that the rules are for you, not me. It seems there is.”
July reportMore than 5,800 IRS and contractor employees were found to have paid nearly $50 million in delinquent taxes, according to Ernst's request. Only 20 of the agency's employees who failed to pay taxes were fired.
In response to the July report, Ernst urged the introduction of the IRS Audit Act, which would require regular tax audits of government employees and prohibit the IRS from hiring or retaining tax evaders.
Ernst's team pointed out that: washington examiner The revelation that nearly $546 million in tax fraud from the IRS has prompted a response from Musk, who co-leads DOGE with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
“@DOGE looks like it has a lot of opportunity!” Musk posted, quoting the X magazine article. New York Post.
“There are thousands of examples of taxpayer money being wasted. These are just a few,” Musk said in another post. post He cited $50 million in unpaid taxes owed by federal employees.
President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated Musk and Ramaswamy to a new organization operating outside the federal government, two of a number of nominees that shocked Washington. According to President Trump's statement, the organization will “dismantle bureaucracy, reduce excessive regulation, eliminate wasteful spending, and reorganize federal agencies.”
Ernst expects DOGE to take steps to eliminate tax waste and hold federal spending accountable.
“Elon Musk and the Trump administration are looking to eliminate waste, and I can't think of a better way to start than by firing all Internal Revenue Service employees who refuse to pay their taxes,” Ernst said.
In a letter to the IRS in July, the senator recommended that employees and contractors be reported to the Department of Justice for suspected tax evasion.
“Our Criminal Investigation Division has an established process for referring cases to the Department of Justice, including but not limited to cases involving current or former employees and contractors,” said IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel. said in a letter dated November 8. Ernst. “Referrals are made on a case-by-case basis, and both agencies invest resources in prosecuting felonies that are more likely to result in lengthy incarceration and are likely to be the most effective deterrent.”
Of the 70 employees who deliberately failed to file tax returns, only 20 were fired after all cases were referred to the agency's review committee. However, Werfel noted that 47 staff members have been suspended, one has been “reprimanded” and two have resigned.
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“The IRS will continue to follow established processes to address any instances where IRS employees or contractors do not meet their tax compliance responsibilities,” Werfel said.
of washington examiner DOGE requested comment on the organization's approach to tax waste.
