It Turns Out Americans Can Smoothly File Their Taxes Without Thousands Of IRS Bureaucrats

[mystery-ak]

It Turns Out Americans Can Smoothly File Their Taxes Without Thousands Of IRS Bureaucrats

Thomas English
Contributor
March 17, 2025 12:03 PM ET

The IRS has maintained stable tax return processing and refund issuance despite significant staff reductions through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to tax professionals.

The agency has eliminated thousands of positions in recent weeks as part of the Trump administration’s government streamlining initiative, raising concerns among Democrats about potential disruptions during tax season. Despite these workforce reductions, electronic filing systems and refund processing have continued to function effectively, though some delays have emerged in compliance and enforcement areas, tax professionals told CNN on Sunday.

“It seems to be business as usual,” Mark Koziel, CEO of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, told the outlet, adding that tax preparers have been able to file returns and receive refunds without significant issues.

    The IRS just said it wants $20B more money.

    Do you think it’s budget should be:

    — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2024

The IRS workforce has shrunk considerably, with about 6,700 probationary employees terminated in February and nearly 5,000 more accepting voluntary resignation packages. An additional 6,800 employees could face layoffs in May, sources separately told CNN.

H&R Block representatives confirmed to the outlet that tax returns are being processed efficiently, reinforcing observations from CPAs nationwide that filings are continuing as expected. Despite previously urging the agency to boost its total employment to 100,000 as part of a “modernization effort,” former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel acknowledged the IRS is operationally stable despite the cuts — though he attributed this to previous investments in agency technology and other tools implemented during his tenure under former President Joe Biden.

more
https://dailycaller.com/2025/03/17/elon-musk-doge-irs-running-smoothly-thousands-bureaucrats-taxes/

[cato potatoe]

Some of these staffing cuts are happening in the wrong areas.  Nobody likes to hear from the IRS, but you need a robust collection agency in order to fund a $7 trillion government.  Customer service is especially poor these days.  We have clients who are waiting for amended returns, EIN assignments, refunds, notice resolutions, etc.  It’s very difficult to reach any agents by phone.

The other concern I have is the staffing cuts to the national park service.  People are going to notice the disruption this summer, and it won’t be popular.