If getting the IRS on the phone felt impossible before, just wait. The agency is losing workers quickly due to a federal buyout program and mid-tax-season layoffs.
Here’s the deal. The government offered IRS employees a buyout—quit by early February, get paid through September, and don’t work in between. Sounds great, right? The catch? The IRS needs people now. So, they blocked many employees from taking the deal until May 15. That leaves a workforce filled with people who know they’re going but still have to grind through tax season. Think they’ll be motivated to work faster? Didn’t think so.
It gets worse. The government is also laying off thousands of IRS employees who are still in their probationary period. And when? Right in the middle of tax season. Because why not cut staff when millions of Americans are waiting for refunds?
So, what does this mean for you? Expect slower processing times, endless hold music when calling the IRS, and chaos. The IRS already struggled to keep up. Now, they’re losing employees left and right.
The one upside? If you’re worried about an audit, don’t be. It’s hard to see the IRS cracking down on enforcement when they can barely pick up the phone.
The bottom line is that this tax season will be a mess. File early, be patient, and if you need help, good luck.
