The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin laying off approximately 6,000 employees this Thursday as part of the Trump administration's initiative to reduce the federal workforce.
According to three people familiar with the agency's plans, the layoffs will primarily focus on recent employees, those hired during the Biden administration's efforts to revitalize the IRS through increased funding and staffing.
These people requested not to be identified, as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Alrededor de 6.000 empleados serán despedidos a partir del jueves
The Trump administration has begun laying off probationary employees, who have less job stability than their more senior colleagues, in various federal agencies.
According to internal emails seen by some media outlets, IRS directors have begun asking employees to report to the office in the coming days and bring their government-issued equipment. The IRS employs approximately 100,000 accountants, lawyers, and other employees across the country.
One of the emails indicates that, under an executive order, the IRS has been instructed to lay off probationary employees who are not considered critical for the tax filing season.
The agency did not provide many details, but it was explained that all of this is related to compliance with the executive order.
Los empleados que serían objetivo de despido son aquellos en período de prueba
These layoffs occur right in the middle of tax filing season, which has raised concern among former IRS officials and Democrats, who warn that the loss of so many employees could affect the ability of millions of Americans to file their taxes easily this year, even if the layoffs do not affect those considered "critical."
IRS and Treasury Department representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the layoffs. For years, Republicans have pushed for efficient cuts at the IRS, accusing the agency of taking politically motivated actions against conservatives.
Some lawmakers, including those supporting Donald Trump's nomination to lead the agency, have even proposed the abolition of the IRS. Trump chose Billy Long, a former Republican congressman, to lead the agency, taking the unusual step of replacing the previous commissioner, Daniel Werfel.
Billy Long es el elegido por Trump para dirigir la IRS
Trump had already directed the IRS to implement a prolonged hiring freeze, and the Department of Homeland Security requested that IRS agents collaborate in immigration control efforts.
Additionally, a member of the Government Efficiency Department, an initiative led by Elon Musk, has also sought broader access to sensitive taxpayer records.
Dave Kautter, who led the IRS on an interim basis and worked in the Treasury Department during Trump's first term, commented that "there is an avalanche of resumes from IRS people looking for work throughout the tax community."
Kautter explained that both law firms and accounting firms are receiving a large number of resumes.
Dave Kautter dirigió la IRS durante el primer mandato de Trump
