Tax industry coalition urges Treasury to prioritize IRS stability
In response to significant recent changes within the Internal Revenue Service workforce, a coalition of leading national tax professional organizations sent a joint letter last week to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging the department to take immediate steps to preserve core IRS functions that taxpayers and tax professionals rely upon.
The coalition, comprising the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), National Society of Accountants (NSA) and National Society of Tax Professionals (NSTP), represents thousands of tax professionals serving millions of individuals and businesses nationwide.
In the letter, the organizations express concern over reports that more than 11,400 IRS employees have exited the agency since February 2025, including over 7,000 probationary terminations and 4,000 resignations under the Deferred Resignation Program. These departures amount to roughly 11% of the agency's workforce and risk disrupting the delivery of vital services.
“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,” said Scott Artman, CPA, CGMA, CEO of the National Association of Tax Professionals. “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’s letter offers three core recommendations:
- Ensure consistent, timely tax guidance: Maintain clear, accessible communication channels for tax professionals, including up-to-date instructions, alerts and procedural tools.
- Accelerate modernization: Invest in digital infrastructure, such as secure portals and automation, to sustain service levels as staffing shifts.
- Strengthen engagement with the tax professional community: Formalize channels for practitioner input, helping the IRS align field implementation with policy objectives.
NATP and the coalition call for continued collaboration between the IRS and the tax professional community to ensure stable, effective taxpayer service during this transition period.
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].