Blumenthal Press IRS on their Ability to Meet Demand of Tax Season

[Hartford, CT] - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal today wrote the Internal Revenue Service expressing concern about the agency's ability to meet the needs of American taxpayers during the upcoming 2026 filing season.

"The Trump administration's decision to significantly reduce IRS staffing, coupled with Republican funding cuts, hiring challenges, and persistent leadership instability, raises serious questions about the agency's preparedness for the 2026 tax season. Over the past year, the IRS has lost more than 27,000 employees - nearly one-third of its workforce. These workforce reductions are already affecting taxpayers, contributing to delays in assistance and slower refund processing," Blumenthal wrote.

Blumenthal's concerns are backed up by a report this month by the Government Accountability Office that warned the IRS may not be prepared for filing season and that the significant staff reductions could hamper its ability to process returns and issue refunds in a timely fashion.

"American taxpayers deserve better from the IRS-they need an agency that is fully staffed, adequately resourced, and capable of delivering timely, reliable service. I urge the IRS to take immediate steps to ensure it is fully prepared to meet American taxpayers' needs during the 2026 filing season.," Blumenthal continued.

In addition to urging the IRS to take steps to ensure it is prepared for tax season, Blumenthal is the co-sponsor of legislation to reinstate the highly successful Direct File program. The Direct File Act would reverse the Trump administration's decision to end the program - which allowed taxpayers to file their taxes online, for free, and directly with the government - and make the program permanent.

Video of Blumenthal's Tuesday press conference on the bill and letter is available here.

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