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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office in Syracuse has laid off 10 employees as part of a larger reduction of nearly 7,000 positions nationwide. These layoffs are part of President Donald Trump's plan to reduce the federal workforce. The affected employees, including revenue officers and agents, were informed of their termination when they lost access to their IRS computers and emails without prior notice on Thursday (February 20).
The layoffs primarily targeted probationary employees with less than two years of service, who do not have civil service protection. According to Syracuse.com, the Syracuse office, which previously had at least 30 employees, now has only one remaining revenue officer. The layoffs come just as tax season is beginning, raising concerns about the IRS's ability to collect taxes and provide customer service.
The decision to reduce the IRS workforce is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to downsize the federal government. NPR reports that the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk's deputies, is overseeing these cuts. Critics argue that the layoffs will hinder the IRS's ability to collect unpaid taxes and enforce tax laws.
The National Treasury Employees Union, representing IRS workers, has condemned the layoffs as "a recipe for economic disaster" and plans to challenge them in court. The union's president, Doreen Greenwald, emphasized the impact on local economies and the disruption to middle-income families across the country.
As reported by the Associated Press, the Trump administration's broader plan includes potential further reductions across various federal agencies. The administration has been criticized for targeting younger, probationary workers, who are seen as vital for maintaining government efficiency and effectiveness.