In a bold move to shrink the size of the federal government, the Trump administration is planning to close more than 120 IRS offices across the country, according to a February 26, 2025, report from The Washington Post.
Many of these offices are taxpayer assistance centers that provide in-person help to Americans struggling with their taxes.
The decision is part of a larger effort to cut costs and reduce the government’s footprint, led by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The closures were outlined in a letter from the GSA obtained by The Washington Post.
With tax season in full swing, the timing of this announcement has raised eyebrows. The tax deadline is April 15, meaning many taxpayers could be affected in the coming weeks.
The plan involves shutting down at least 128 taxpayer assistance centers. Some reports put the number slightly lower, around 110 or 113.
These centers help people with their taxes—especially those dealing with complex issues like identity theft, audits, or missing refunds.
The closures come right after the IRS laid off about 7,000 employees who were still on probation. This fits with the broader effort to reduce the agency’s size and reach.
IRS employees working at these locations will have 120 days to vacate their offices once landlords are notified. Those notifications are expected to start soon.
These closures roll back IRS expansion efforts that began under the Biden administration.
After the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS opened or reopened more than 50 assistance centers, bringing the total to over 360 nationwide.
The goal was to improve customer service, but many conservatives saw it as a way to give the IRS more power over everyday Americans.
For years, conservatives have argued that the IRS has been weaponized against them. Who can forget the IRS scandal under the Obama administration, when conservative and Tea Party groups were unfairly targeted?
The agency has a long history of going after small businesses, independent contractors, and middle-class families while giving a free pass to well-connected elites.
With the closures, many Americans who rely on in-person help from the IRS may now have to deal with slower service, longer wait times, and refund delays.
But many conservatives see this as a necessary step to rein in an agency that has grown too big, too powerful, and too intrusive.
Critics say the IRS already struggles with customer service, and shutting down these offices will only make things worse.
The GSA says the decision to close these offices is part of a broader push for efficiency.
The agency plans to end all “soft-term” leases—those that can be canceled on short notice—unless they serve a clear public purpose.
Each location will be reviewed individually, but the administration is making it clear that cutting costs is a top priority.
Many conservatives welcome this move. They argue that the IRS has been too aggressive in its enforcement and too bloated in its operations.
Cutting down its size could be a step toward real tax reform. After all, the IRS has been known to go after hardworking Americans while letting billionaires and politically connected figures off the hook.
It’s still unclear how these closures will affect taxpayers in the long run.
Will the IRS find ways to provide better service with fewer locations? Or will the closures create more headaches for taxpayers who need help?
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
