IRS Plans Mass Layoffs Amid Government Efficiency Push

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is targeting the IRS as part of a broader initiative to streamline federal operations and cut wasteful spending, aligning with former President Donald Trump's agenda. The IRS is reportedly preparing to lay off thousands of employees, including around 16,000 probationary workers, which could significantly impact the agency's operations during the busy tax-filing season. Critics, including some lawmakers, have expressed concerns that these layoffs could hinder the IRS's ability to enforce tax laws and manage taxpayer services effectively. The effort to reduce the workforce is part of a government-wide directive to identify non-essential contracts and eliminate inefficiencies, with senior IRS executives instructed to justify their spending. Supporters of the initiative argue it is necessary to tackle inefficiencies within the federal government. However, there are worries about the operational consequences of such significant staffing cuts during a critical period for the agency.