A coalition of four groups representing tax professionals sent a joint letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week urging the Treasury Department to take immediate steps to preserve core IRS functions—for both taxpayers and practitioners—amid workforce reductions at the tax agency.
“Our organizations have a long-standing history of working closely with the IRS to support its mission and improve taxpayer outcomes,” said the coalition, which is comprised of the National Association of Tax Professionals, National Association of Enrolled Agents, National Society of Accountants, and the National Society of Tax Professionals.
“We share a deep commitment to ensuring the agency’s long-term success and effectiveness,” the letter continued. “With decades of experience assisting taxpayers and navigating evolving tax policy and administration, we are uniquely positioned to provide informed, practical insight. It is in that spirit that we offer this feedback, with the goal of strengthening operations, building public trust and ensuring the IRS remains a cornerstone of effective government service.”
The coalition expressed concern over a recent report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, which found that as of March, 11,443 IRS employees were either approved to take the Trump administration’s first deferred resignation program offer or received termination notices during their probationary employment period. In addition, more than 23,000 employees applied for a second buyout offer from the Treasury Department in early April, and 13,124 were approved as of April 22, TIGTA said.
More than 7,000 IRS probationary workers—who have fewer protections than long-term workers—were laid off by the Trump administration on Feb. 20. However, impacted workers were later reinstated and put on paid administrative leave in March after two favorable court rulings. They were set to return to work on April 14, but that plan was put on hold by the IRS.
However, impacted employees—those who didn’t take the two deferred resignation program offers from the Trump administration and the Treasury Department or requested to take the second buyout, called “DRP 2.0” or TDRP, but were denied because their roles with the IRS were “deemed critical”—finally returned to their jobs on May 23.
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“These developments and the additional force reductions raise significant concerns about the continuity of core services and communication channels that taxpayers and tax professionals depend on, especially during periods of legislative change and filing complexity,” the letter states.
The coalition’s letter offers three core recommendations:
1. Ensure consistent, timely tax guidance: Maintain clear, accessible communication channels for tax professionals, including up-to-date instructions, alerts, and procedural tools.
2. Accelerate modernization: Invest in digital infrastructure, such as secure portals and automation, to sustain service levels as staffing shifts.
3. Strengthen engagement with the tax professional community: Formalize channels for practitioner input, helping the IRS align field implementation with policy objectives.
“The organizations joining this letter share a deep concern that the recent and ongoing workforce reductions at the IRS will inevitably affect the timely guidance, operational continuity, and practitioner support that the tax system depends on,” Scott Artman, CEO of the National Association of Tax Professionals, said in a statement. “While the full impact may not yet be felt in every area, we know from experience that gaps in communication and support can quickly become burdensome during periods of legislative change and complex filing seasons.”
The coalition called for continued collaboration between the IRS and the tax professional community to ensure stable, effective taxpayer service during this transition period.
“This letter reflects a shared commitment to an effective tax administration system that serves all stakeholders,” the coalition wrote. “The IRS cannot succeed without a strong and informed tax professional community, and our members cannot succeed without consistent, timely access to the tools and support the IRS provides.”
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