The IRS began implementing a reduction in force (RIF) Friday that will result in staffing cuts across multiple offices and job categories, with the agency’s Office of Civil Rights and Compliance getting the brunt of it, according to an email sent to employees by the IRS human capital officer.
The email, which was posted on Reddit and confirmed by users, said 75% of the office will be reduced by the RIF. About 5% of the office’s employees had already left via taking the Trump administration’s deferred resignation offer earlier this year and through attrition, the letter states.
Those Office of Civil Rights and Compliance employees who remain will be moved to the Office of Chief Counsel “to continue to carry out its statutory responsibilities.” According to the Associated Press, fewer than 200 people work in the civil rights office.
- Related article: Fired IRS Probationary Employees Set to Return to Work April 14
- Related article: IRS Probationary Employees Who Were Laid Off Get Reinstated—But Put on Paid Leave
- Related article: Trump Administration Fires 6,700 IRS Employees During Tax Season
The Office of Civil Rights and Compliance was formerly called the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Below is an excerpt of the email IRS employees received before 5 p.m. this evening:
Reduction in force (RIF) process is beginning
The IRS has begun implementing a Reduction in Force (RIF) that will result in staffing cuts across multiple offices and job categories. This action is being taken to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS in accordance with agency priorities and the Workforce Optimization Initiative outlined in a recent Executive Order.
Today, the IRS initiated a RIF for the Office of Civil Rights and Compliance (formerly the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion). This calendar year to date, approximately 5% of this office left through the Deferred Resignation Program and attrition. An additional 75% of the office will be reduced through a RIF. The remaining employees in the OCRC will move under the Office of Chief Counsel to continue to carry out its statutory responsibilities. None of the reductions were made today based on individual performance. The reductions were made in accordance with statute.
What to expect
- The RIF will be implemented in phases. This message is only notification that the IRS has begun the RIF process and does not serve as your official notification. Each office will receive direct communication when their phase begins. ·
- Individual RIF notices will be issued to impacted employees at least 30-60 days prior to the effective date of any personnel action, as required by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidelines.
- Personnel reassignments including relocations will stop effective April 4, 2025. With limited exceptions, all actions with an effective date after April 4, 2025, will be canceled. If you are currently on a detail or temporary promotion, it will not be canceled. Detailed information on exceptions is included in the FAQs.
- We have received approval to offer VERA (Voluntary Early Retirement Authority) and VSIP (Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment). More information, including the specific dates and FAQs, will be shared with you next week.
Action you need to take:
- Upload a current resume to HRConnect by April 14, 2025 using these instructions (.docx). HCO will use your resume to determine qualifications during a RIF. If you choose not to upload a resume and are impacted by RIF, the Human Capital Office will use your current position description to determine qualifications. No resumes will be accepted outside of the HRConnect upload feature. If you cannot access HRConnect, you can work with your supervisor.
- Training: View the new Reduction in Force (RIF) Briefing – Understanding the Process, Your Rights, and Benefits Course 85139 in ITM.
The email concluded: “We remain committed to sharing information as soon as it becomes available and ensuring all employees have access to resources and support. Thank you for your continued professionalism and commitment to supporting our mission.”
Published reports on Friday said the IRS plans to cut as many as 20,000 staffers—between 20% to 25% of the workforce—as part of the layoffs that began today. That is higher than an earlier estimate of 18% of the agency’s workforce being slashed.
Federal agencies had to submit plans for mass RIFs to the Trump administration by March 13.
The layoffs are part of the administration’s plan to cut costs and pare down the federal workforce, including at the IRS, led by Trump advisor Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The administration is doing this by closing agencies, laying off nearly all probationary employees who haven’t yet gained civil service protection, and offering buyouts to almost all federal employees through the deferred resignation program.
An estimated 6,700 IRS workers—mostly newer probationary employees who have fewer protections than long-term workers—were laid off by the Trump administration on Feb. 20. In addition, between 4% and 5% of IRS workers accepted the administration’s federal employee buyout offer in February, Bloomberg Tax reported. But workers considered essential to tax season were told they have to remain in their jobs until sometime in May.
However, impacted IRS probationary workers were later reinstated and put on paid administrative leave last month after two court rulings. They were told earlier this week to come back to their jobs on April 14.
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Tags: IRS, IRS layoffs, Payroll, Taxes, Trump administration
