"IRS Staff Exodus Expected to Curb Future Hiring Efforts," Tax Notes

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is expected to face significant challenges in hiring new talent due to a widespread workforce reduction and a history of recruitment difficulties. In a recent Tax Notes article titled, "IRS Staff Exodus Expected to Curb Future Hiring Efforts," former IRS officials, including ex-Commissioner and Shareholder Charles Rettig, expressed concerns that ongoing staff cuts and instability will undermine the agency’s appeal to potential employees, especially as job security and training become harder to promise. The IRS already struggles with slow hiring processes, lower compensation compared to the private sector, and high attrition rates. With thousands of employees exiting through planned reductions and a hiring freeze in place, experts warn that restarting recruitment — even with renewed funding — will not be easy. Former officials emphasized the importance of long-term hiring strategies and restoring confidence in IRS careers to address the agency’s growing personnel gap. Shareholder and former Counselor to the IRS Commissioner Tom Cullinan noted that while job stability was once a key selling point for the IRS, attracting talent remained difficult. He warned that even if funding returns in the future, restarting the agency’s hiring process will be a complex and slow endeavor.

To read the full article, view the PDF here.