WASHINGTON—The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is laying off 6,000 to 7,000 employees at the direction of Elon Musk’s DOGE, prompting thousands of Americans to resolve their tax debts before processing slows down.
The layoffs come in the middle of tax-filing season, when the IRS typically hires thousands of temporary employees to help process returns.
Tax professionals believe the IRS’s reduced workforce will lead to significant processing delays—and potentially, a backlog of tax forgiveness applications. In hopes of qualifying before this slowdown, thousands of Americans are applying for the Fresh Start Program, which can help reduce or even eliminate 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.
The layoffs, along with President Trump’s federal hiring freeze, could limit the IRS’s ability to continue approving applications for the Fresh Start Program.
“It’s really going to hamstring the agency, and that’s assuming it doesn’t screw up the filing season… people don’t understand how the process at the IRS works and how important it is,” said John Koskinen, IRS commissioner from 2013-2017, about the layoffs.
Americans who owe back taxes are advised to begin the resolution process as soon as possible to avoid getting stuck in an IRS backlog, which could leave millions of people waiting for much-needed financial relief.
Take this 60-second Quiz to See if You Qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program.
These swift and sweeping changes at the IRS could potentially cripple the Fresh Start Program—or even kill it altogether.
For years, Republican lawmakers have quietly discussed weakening or ending the Fresh Start Program. With Republicans now controlling both houses of Congress, this could become a reality in 2025, which would spell disaster for thousands of Americans who desperately need relief from tax debt.
If you owe federal back taxes and can’t afford to pay them in full, the Fresh Start Program may be your financial lifeline.
However, federal programs that help reduce or eliminate your tax debt may look completely different in the coming months. Qualifying for the program before President Trump decides to end it is crucial.
Take this 60-second Quiz to See if You Qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program.
While thousands of Americans are applying for the Fresh Start Program, many more do not realize they qualify for tax relief because they never took the time to check their eligibility.
Remember, it is 100% free to see if you qualify for the IRS Fresh Start Program, and a few minutes could help you save thousands.
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Every day, 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.