SCHNEIDER LEADS HOUSE DEMS IN DEMANDING ANSWERS ON IRS FIRINGS, IMPACTS FOR TAXPAYERS

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, is leading a group of 22 Democrats in demanding answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about IRS workforce cuts, revenue losses, and his plan to maintain quality of services despite cuts.  

In a letter sent on April 2, 2025, the group of lawmakers relayed their deep concerns that the Treasury Department has not fully considered the real-world impact of its actions to gut the IRS and requests the Department:  

1. Provide details on its specific target for the number of workforce cuts at the IRS, including the timeline for staff reductions and departments where reductions will occur;
2. Share the estimate of the expected revenue loss from the scheduled staff reductions at the IRS;
3. Detail the steps being taken to ensure the remaining IRS workforce is adequately equipped to provide the services needed by taxpayers; and,
4. Provide its plan to ensure taxpayers receive timely, excellent service after staff reductions are complete. 

“We have seen concerning media reports that the IRS is rolling back audits as the Treasury Department reduces the IRS workforce and cuts thousands of jobs,” the members wrote. “The Administration has already fired 7,400 probationary employees—or seven percent of all IRS employees, mostly from enforcement staff—and has implemented a hiring freeze. Additionally, 4,700 employees at IRS have accepted the deferred resignation offer. Reporting has shown that as IRS agents leave the agency, the IRS is closing audits before they are complete, and some were even closed without seeking money owed.”  

“We are deeply concerned the Treasury Department has not fully considered the real-world impact that these actions would have on the American public,” the members continued. “Implementing major changes to the workforce will no doubt result in diminished taxpayer services, which would have devastating consequences for taxpayers in need of assistance. Laying off thousands of employees that are directly involved in collecting unpaid taxes does not improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the IRS; it will only reduce taxpayer services and ultimately cost the government tens of billions of dollars in revenue, thereby increasing our nation’s deficit and adding to our debt.” 

Full text of the letter is available here. 

###