WASHINGTON—The President and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) plan to cut the IRS workforce by 50%, prompting thousands of Americans to resolve their tax debts before the IRS becomes impacted.
DOGE is laying off approximately 50,000 IRS workers and closing at least 110 IRS offices in the middle of tax season, when the agency typically hires thousands of temporary workers to help process returns and applications.
Tax professionals are certain it will slow down IRS processing, resulting in a backlog of tax forgiveness applications.
Experts are now urging Americans with tax debt to apply as soon as possible for the Fresh Start Program, which helps reduce or even completely erase tax debts.
When taxpayers fill out our Tax Relief Survey, they can see if they qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program and begin their journey toward tax resolution in minutes.
Mark Mazur, a former Treasury official, noted that the layoffs will likely shift enforcement priorities.
“IRS Employees who previously handled larger corporate enforcement cases will now be forced to manage smaller, easier cases,” he said, suggesting that working-class Americans may be more at risk of collection activity.
Despite concerns about reduced staffing, the IRS’s Automated Collection System (ACS) continues to send payment notices, issue federal tax liens, and process levies, ensuring that core collection functions remain largely uninterrupted.
The Fresh Start Program, which helps qualifying taxpayers resolve and reduce their back taxes, remains officially unchanged.
Take this 60-second Quiz to See if You Qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program.
While the ACS will continue operating, individual case management and personalized assistance may experience significant delays. Working with a trusted tax professional to resolve your back taxes may be the best course of action.
Take the Next Step
While thousands of Americans are applying for tax forgiveness, many more do not realize they qualify for tax relief because they never took the time to check their eligibility.
It is 100% free to see if you qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program, and a few minutes could potentially save you thousands.
Each month, your tax debt grows larger due to penalties and fees. It is vital to act now and partner with a tax relief expert to receive the best resolution possible.