NATP warns IRS staffing cuts could undermine taxpayer rights and service quality
The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) warns that IRS staffing reductions could reverse recent improvements in taxpayer service, return processing and issue resolution.
Reports indicate that up to 6,500 IRS positions may be affected, placing additional burdens on taxpayers and tax professionals.
“Reducing IRS staffing during tax season will create unnecessary backlogs and frustrate taxpayers,” said NATP CEO Scott Artman, CPA, CGMA. “While automation holds promise for efficiency, these systems are not yet fully implemented. Now is not the time to disrupt service continuity.”
NATP supports strong enforcement of the IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which guarantees fairness, transparency and access for all taxpayers. These protections rely on adequate staffing to ensure efficient dispute resolution and timely taxpayer support.
“Premature staffing cuts will strain taxpayer services, undermining efficiency gains promised by automation. Maintaining sufficient personnel ensures a smooth transition and uninterrupted support for taxpayers and tax professionals,” said Artman.
In her 2024 Annual Report to Congress, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins credited consistent funding and workforce support for recent service improvements.
She cautioned, “The taxpayer experience has noticeably improved but without sustained funding and staffing these gains could be lost.”
NATP urges Congress and the administration to preserve IRS staffing levels to protect taxpayer services and maintain a stable, efficient tax administration system.
The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) is the largest nonprofit organization that works exclusively for tax professionals. We serve members through education, advocacy and community, providing the tools they need to navigate the tax code and the insights the media can trust.
Looking for a tax expert? Tom O’Saben, EA, director of tax content and government relations at NATP, is available for phone or video interviews to discuss federal tax topics, including tax law change and its implications, taxpayer issues, tax preparer regulation and more. To schedule an interview with O’Saben, contact [email protected] or [email protected].