IRS
Republicans want Treasury to study free tax filing options — again
The reconciliation text being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee includes $15 million for the IRS to study how to give Americans free ways to file their taxes that would replace both the Free File and Direct File programs.
IRS reverses staffing gains made under Biden
The tax agency has shed over 20,000 employees through the deferred resignation program, and more significant cuts are still expected.
Some Republicans question Trump’s IRS budget cuts
The administration has proposed a $2.5 billion cut to the tax agency.
IRS to lay off taxpayer experience, DEI staff
It is not clear what will happen next to projects being done by the Taxpayer Experience Office, like making IRS notices to taxpayers more simple.
DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of sensitive information, top Oversight Democrat says
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is calling on the Social Security Administration’s watchdog to investigate whistleblower claims that the efficiency team is compiling potentially sensitive data across several government agencies.
Top tech leaders to leave IRS
The departures happen even as the tax agency has made controversial decisions to share taxpayer data with the Department of Homeland Security and centralize that data to make it more accessible.
Breaking News
IRS sends RIF notices as it begins widespread layoffs
The full timeline and scope of the cuts is unclear, but the first office to face them saw its workforce slashed by 75%.
Senate Democrats want details on DOGE and DHS attempts to access IRS data
The IRS reportedly rejected the broad requests for taxpayer information, but the lawmakers worry recent actions have “left the door open for future requests.”
NTEU leaders vow to fight amid IRS return-to-office mandate
Internal Revenue Service employees have just one week to prepare for the end of telework at the agency, as management disregards union contract provisions governing the workplace flexibility.
IRS expected to fire 6,700 employees beginning Thursday
The terminations will walk back much of the progress IRS, which is in the midst of tax season, has made in recent years to increase its workforce.
Union chief: It’s not just a threat to federal employees
COMMENTARY | "Either we fight for our federal workforce now...or we will suffer the consequences of a government ill-equipped to protect and deliver for the taxpaying citizens of our nation," writes Doreen Greenwald, national president for the National Treasury Employees Union.
Breaking News
IRS chief to step down upon Trump's inauguration, well before his term expires
The announcement follows Trump's decision to replace Biden's top tax collection official.
Featured eBooks
IRS chief predicts agency 'performance will backslide' if funds and staffing are cut
The agency says it is fully prepared for filing season in the near term but backlogs could return if the Trump administration pulls back resources.
Republican lawmakers ask Trump to kill IRS Direct File
The new program intended to enable free, online tax filing directly with the government has garnered controversy and praise since its inception.
Trump signals new direction for IRS as he announces atypical plan to replace its leadership
The agency is mid-transformation thanks to an unprecedented cash infusion, but those efforts are now in doubt.
New IRS funding boosted tax enforcement and improved taxpayer services during the Biden administration
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act allocated $80 billion in new funding for the IRS over 10 years. Congress later reduced that sum to $60 billion.
Hill Dems question IRS on identity verification requirements for Direct File
Taxpayers had to go through outsourced identity verification to use Direct File during the last tax season, a level of assurance the lawmakers note is not required for commercial tax prep companies.
Bipartisan Senate duo seeks to push IRS customer service forward
The tax agency is already working on some of the items in the bill — like improving online accounts.
IRS delay on key system could cost up to $70 million
The IRS had been considering switching to a new system for core, individual tax processing, but it’s waiting to do so until after the coming tax season.
36% of new IRS hires faced delays due to technical and security clearance jams
Despite hiring 64% of its new employees in fiscal 2022 and 2023 within its 80-day goal, it took the IRS an average of 124 days to employ roughly 19,000 personnel due, in part, to system limitations.
IRS workforce is more diverse than the national civilian labor force. So why is GAO criticizing the tax agency’s DEI programs?
A new GAO report found that women, employees from historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic groups and persons with disabilities were underrepresented in senior levels at the agency.
