Closure of U.S. IRS Civil Rights Office Announced

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced plans to shut down its Office of Civil Rights, according to an internal email obtained by CNN. This decision is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to reduce the workforce within the IRS and across various federal government departments.

The email indicates that approximately 75% of the employees within the civil rights office will be laid off, with an additional 5% having already resigned as part of a voluntary separation program. The remaining staff members are expected to be reassigned to other divisions within the IRS.

The IRS's Office of Civil Rights is responsible for safeguarding the rights of taxpayers and ensuring that discrimination based on age, sex, color, disability, race, religion, and national origin--including limited English proficiency--is not tolerated by its employees. The office's closure has raised concerns about the potential impact on taxpayer rights and protections.

Reports suggest that the IRS plans to terminate around 130 positions within the civil rights office, which has already seen significant staff reductions. Additionally, the agency aims to close over 110 taxpayer assistance offices nationwide as part of its efforts to streamline operations. These extensive cutbacks are projected to affect nearly 20% of the IRS workforce by mid-May.

The Washington Post was the first to report the details surrounding these layoffs, prompting inquiries to the IRS for further comments on the matter. As the agency moves forward with these measures, the implications for taxpayer advocacy and civil rights protections remain to be seen.