Internal Revenue Service Half Workforce Cut

The United States — Internal Revenue Service is drafting plans to cut its workforce by as much as half through layoffs, attrition, and incentivized buyouts. This initiative is part of the Donald Trump administration's broader effort to shrink the federal workforce, facilitated by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Former United States — Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen and others warn that such drastic reductions could render the agency dysfunctional and less efficient in tax collection. Approximately 7,000 probationary United States — Internal Revenue Service employees were already laid off in February, and a 'deferred resignation program' buyout offer was extended to federal employees, though United States — Internal Revenue Service staff involved in the 2025 tax season face a delay until mid-May. Additionally, the Trump administration intends to lend United States — Internal Revenue Service workers to the United States — United States Department of Homeland Security to assist with immigration enforcement, following a request from United States — United States Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The United States — White House has mandated federal agencies to submit reduction in force plans by March 13, but the approval and implementation timeline for the United States — Internal Revenue Service's reorganization remain unclear. The New York Times first reported these deliberations.