The Trump administration is cutting more than 11,000 jobs at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Pentagon as part of efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce. Approximately 6,000 layoffs at the IRS began on Thursday, coinciding with the busy tax season when millions of Americans file their returns.
The Department of Defense plans to eliminate over 5,000 jobs next week, aiming to reduce its nearly one million-strong civilian workforce by 5 to 8%. A hiring freeze will also be implemented. The administration has appointed Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to oversee the layoffs as part of a cost-cutting initiative.
Probationary workers at the IRS, who are typically employees with less than a year of service, are expected to be among those losing their jobs, as they were "not deemed as critical to filing season," according to an email obtained by CBS News. Most Americans face a deadline of April 15 to file their taxes, although extensions are available under certain circumstances. The BBC has reached out to the IRS and the Treasury Department for comments.
Reports indicate that the job cuts will primarily affect new and newly promoted employees, with approximately half of the layoffs targeting the Small Business/Self-Employed (SBSE) Division. An email from SBSE Commissioner Lia Colbert notes that "while details are still developing, we understand that over 3,500 SB/SE probationary hires will be terminated by the end of this week."
As of the 2023 fiscal year, about 83,000 people were employed by the IRS. Many of the positions being eliminated are related to compliance, which involves ensuring that Americans pay their owed taxes. Linda Bilmes, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, emphasized the importance of accessible support for taxpayers, stating, "What people like even less than paying taxes is not being able to reach someone to help them pay their taxes accurately."
The Biden administration had previously secured $80 billion in funding for new resources and staff at the IRS to enhance revenue collection efforts. However, Republicans, who typically advocate for lower taxes, have opposed these funding initiatives and have long sought cuts to the IRS budget.
The president has proposed the creation of an "External Revenue Service" to generate funds through tariffs on foreign imports. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is set to initiate job cuts affecting about 5,400 probationary workers starting next week, as part of a broader plan to reduce the civilian workforce by 5-8% to enhance efficiency and align with the President's priorities.
The Department of Defense, which employs around 950,000 civilians, is aiming to refocus its efforts on military readiness. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has expressed support for these cuts, emphasizing the need to streamline operations. However, polling data reveals that many Americans are uneasy about these changes, with a recent Washington Post/Ipsos poll showing that 54% disapprove of the President's management of the federal government.
Post a Comment