1. What is the Internal Revenue Service?
2. List of Internal Revenue Service Firings
   1. Probationary Employees

What is the Internal Revenue Service?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing the tax laws of the United States. Operating under the Department of the Treasury, the IRS’s primary job is to collect taxes from individuals, businesses, and other organizations to fund government operations and public services. It processes hundreds of millions of tax returns each year and issues refunds to taxpayers who have overpaid.

Beyond collecting taxes, the IRS plays a critical role in ensuring that tax laws are followed. This includes auditing tax returns for accuracy, investigating tax fraud or evasion, and providing enforcement where necessary. The IRS also works to ensure tax compliance by offering educational resources and assistance to help taxpayers understand and meet their responsibilities. It manages major programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit and oversees rules related to retirement accounts, capital gains, and corporate taxes.

The agency is also tasked with adapting to changing laws and technology. As Congress passes new tax legislation, the IRS must implement and enforce those changes quickly and effectively. It continually updates its systems to manage electronic filing, improve cybersecurity, and support taxpayers more efficiently. Though often a source of frustration for many Americans during tax season, the IRS plays a vital role in maintaining the financial structure of the federal government.

TL;DR: The Internal Revenue Service is the part of the government that collects taxes and makes sure people follow tax laws.

List of Internal Revenue Service Firings

Below is a list of Internal Revenue Service personnel that have been fired by President Donald Trump or the Trump Administration, sorted by most recent:

Probationary Employees

Approximately 7,000 Probationary Employees – Internal Revenue Service
Fired in February 2025

Since January, around 5,000 employees have resigned from the IRS, and an additional 7,000 probationary employees have been laid off. Most recently, about 50 senior IT executives were placed on administrative leave during tax season as part of a broader effort to restructure the agency, reportedly led by the Department of Government Efficiency and carried out by the acting IRS Commissioner. These executives held key roles in cybersecurity, IT modernization, and other critical tech areas.

The IRS is reportedly planning to cut up to 20,000 staff members—approximately 25% of its workforce—starting with a major reduction in the Office of Civil Rights and Compliance. That office will be downsized by 75%, with remaining personnel merged into the agency’s legal department. The IRS also intends to scale back its enforcement personnel by half and reduce staffing across other Treasury offices as part of this ongoing reorganization.

TL;DR: Since January, the IRS has lost or laid off over 12,000 workers and plans to cut up to 20,000 more, including top IT and enforcement staff, as part of a big agency shake-up.