The IRS began terminating approximately 6,700 probationary employees on Thursday as the Trump administration pursues broader plans to abolish the agency.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Wednesday that President Trump’s ultimate goal is to “abolish” the IRS and replace it with an “External Revenue Service” funded primarily through tariffs.
Unions have raised concerns that the cuts could disrupt taxpayer services and delay the processing of returns.
The IRS workforce had grown to over 100,000 employees in fiscal 2024, up from 80,000 at the start of the Biden administration, following efforts to improve operations and customer service.