US tax agency plans to lay off 25% of staff – WaPo
The Internal Revenue Service is reportedly set to abolish its civil rights office as part of a broader effort by the White House to reduce costs. According to The Washington Post, the IRS has plans to cut approximately 20,000 jobs, based on...
TroibNews 
The Internal Revenue Service is reportedly set to abolish its civil rights office as part of a broader effort by the White House to reduce costs.
According to The Washington Post, the IRS has plans to cut approximately 20,000 jobs, based on internal documents and information from sources familiar with the situation. This reduction in nearly 25% of the agency’s workforce is part of an overarching initiative aimed at curbing expenses within federal agencies.
Shortly after taking office on January 20, US President Donald Trump initiated a program focused on eradicating “wasteful spending” and streamlining bureaucracy in the federal government.
The Department of Government Efficiency, established by Trump and spearheaded by Elon Musk, has been active in its mission to enhance federal operations, with a goal of cutting $2 trillion in spending by 2026.
Reports indicate that the IRS will close its Office of Civil Rights and Compliance, leading to the dismissal of roughly 130 employees who were tasked with safeguarding taxpayers against discrimination concerning the tax code, audits, and investigations. It is anticipated that the remaining personnel from this office will be reassigned to other divisions.
“This action is being taken to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS,” an email sent to employees and cited by WaPo states.
Earlier this year, over 4,000 staff members accepted offers for deferred resignations. Meanwhile, an additional 7,000 probationary workers were laid off in February, though court rulings are facilitating their reinstatement. Reports suggest that some of these employees could be returning to work by April 14, as mentioned by WaPo.
The news outlet also highlighted uncertainty around whether the current layoffs encompass individuals previously targeted earlier in the year, noting that the IRS employed around 100,000 individuals as of January.
In related developments, employees at the United States Institute of Peace have told WaPo that the Department of State terminated up to half of the institute’s 600-strong workforce, with some employees reportedly being offered severance packages or extended health insurance in exchange for waiving their right to sue. The USIP was established by Congress in the mid-1980s with the objective of promoting global conflict resolution.
Additionally, Reuters has reported, citing an internal memo, that all remaining jobs at the US Agency for International Development will be cut in July and September. It appears that USAID missions around the world will be shut down, and the agency’s residual functions will be absorbed by the State Department.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
According to The Washington Post, the IRS has plans to cut approximately 20,000 jobs, based on internal documents and information from sources familiar with the situation. This reduction in nearly 25% of the agency’s workforce is part of an overarching initiative aimed at curbing expenses within federal agencies.
Shortly after taking office on January 20, US President Donald Trump initiated a program focused on eradicating “wasteful spending” and streamlining bureaucracy in the federal government.
The Department of Government Efficiency, established by Trump and spearheaded by Elon Musk, has been active in its mission to enhance federal operations, with a goal of cutting $2 trillion in spending by 2026.
Reports indicate that the IRS will close its Office of Civil Rights and Compliance, leading to the dismissal of roughly 130 employees who were tasked with safeguarding taxpayers against discrimination concerning the tax code, audits, and investigations. It is anticipated that the remaining personnel from this office will be reassigned to other divisions.
“This action is being taken to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS,” an email sent to employees and cited by WaPo states.
Earlier this year, over 4,000 staff members accepted offers for deferred resignations. Meanwhile, an additional 7,000 probationary workers were laid off in February, though court rulings are facilitating their reinstatement. Reports suggest that some of these employees could be returning to work by April 14, as mentioned by WaPo.
The news outlet also highlighted uncertainty around whether the current layoffs encompass individuals previously targeted earlier in the year, noting that the IRS employed around 100,000 individuals as of January.
In related developments, employees at the United States Institute of Peace have told WaPo that the Department of State terminated up to half of the institute’s 600-strong workforce, with some employees reportedly being offered severance packages or extended health insurance in exchange for waiving their right to sue. The USIP was established by Congress in the mid-1980s with the objective of promoting global conflict resolution.
Additionally, Reuters has reported, citing an internal memo, that all remaining jobs at the US Agency for International Development will be cut in July and September. It appears that USAID missions around the world will be shut down, and the agency’s residual functions will be absorbed by the State Department.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
