IRS Exodus: Even Bureaucrats Prefer Trump’s Economy

A seismic shift is underway at the Internal Revenue Service, and it's not just on the balance sheets. President Donald Trump’s latest federal buyout strategy has led to the departure of approximately 22,000 IRS employees, a dramatic rollback from the Biden-era staffing surge and a development that could have far-reaching implications for both the agency and the American taxpayer.

The buyout is part of a broader federal workforce restructuring effort initiated by the Trump administration earlier this year. Federal employees were given the option to retire or resign early while continuing to receive compensation through September. Around 75,000 federal workers across various agencies accepted the offer, with 22,000 of them coming from the IRS, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

This mass departure comes as the agency braces for reduced capacity—both in terms of audits and customer service. Under the previous administration, the IRS had swelled to nearly 100,000 employees, backed by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, which earmarked resources to hire 87,000 new employees over ten years. That expansion was aimed at modernizing the agency and improving tax enforcement, especially among high-income earners and large corporations.

Now, with Trump reversing course, the IRS is not only hemorrhaging staff but losing institutional leadership as well. Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause is among those stepping down, a departure that further destabilizes the agency during a crucial filing season.

The practical consequences are already taking shape. Fewer audits are expected this year—a change welcomed by some but deeply concerning to policymakers focused on tax compliance. The agency's ability to provide assistance to taxpayers is also under strain. With call centers short-staffed and processing times potentially increasing, Americans may encounter more hurdles as they attempt to resolve tax issues.

Critics like Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) have slammed the staffing cuts. “This is making it harder for people across the Commonwealth to get the help they need,” she said in a social media post, echoing a sentiment that is growing among Democrats who see this as a step backward in public service infrastructure.

Beyond the IRS, the Trump administration has fired an additional 7,000 probationary federal workers, a move that’s currently being contested in court. If upheld, the combined effect of buyouts and firings could reduce the IRS workforce by as much as one-third from its starting point earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Trump is pushing forward with his plan to modernize government operations. Last month, he signed an executive order aimed at transitioning federal payment systems from outdated paper-based methods to faster, secure digital platforms. The administration says the effort is designed to improve efficiency and reduce government waste.

“President Trump is making government work better for the American people,” the White House declared in a statement accompanying the order.