Tax season is always hectic for taxpayers, CPAs, and the IRS alike. This year, however, has brought a new flurry of activity on top of the usual busyness that comes with the approaching tax deadline. We’re talking about the recent mass layoffs at the IRS, just one of the federal agencies that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reduced in size recently. If you’re concerned about how the loss of those IRS workers will impact you and your tax return, you’re not alone. While we certainly don’t have all the answers, here’s what tax experts are saying about the potential effects this will have on tax returns and refunds this year.
Who’s Been Laid Off?
At the moment, an estimated 7,000 probationary employees at the IRS have been dismissed, according to the Washington Post.
Will It Impact Your Return?
According to experts, odds are that most taxpayers won’t experience a significant delay in the processing of their return or refund. In fact, the former IRS Commissioner stated that “there should not be a significant impact on current filing season operations,” Time Magazine. Of course, that’s assuming your return is filed (1) electronically, (2) correctly, and (3) fairly early in the season. If you meet these three criteria, your return can be processed by a computer, without the need for an actual staff member to handle it.
Taxpayers whose returns require manual review are more likely to experience a delay. After all, fewer bodies in the buildings mean fewer eyes on paper returns or returns with errors and “red flags” attached to them. If you need to communicate directly with the IRS, you should expect longer wait times, as well as an increased chance of dropped calls.
How Can You Avoid These Issues?
If you’re concerned about your return or refund being delayed—and many of our clients are—there are a few things you can do to reduce the chance of that happening:
1. File Electronically:
2. Double Check Your Work:
3. File as Soon as Possible:
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