The IRS has begun a new round of layoffs starting with the Office of Civil Rights and Compliance, according to an email seen by Bloomberg Tax.
About 75% of the office will be reduced through a reduction in force.
The latest top line estimate for cuts at the agency is about 20 to 25%, though it isn’t final yet, a person familiar with the situation said. An initial plan suggested an overall cutback of 18% of the IRS’s workforce by May 15, including some cuts that have already been made.
The IRS has been under heightened pressure since President Donald Trump took office, with thousands of probationary employees initially fired, and Trump officials discussing how to more widely share taxpayer data, most recently to help with immigration efforts.
Critics say the wholesale changes are drastic and will undermine taxpayer confidence and service.
About 5% of the employees in that office had already left through the deferred resignation program and attrition. Those remaining were moved to the Office of Chief Counsel, the email said.
The office was formerly called the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
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