According to Federal News Network, the IRS will allow some employees who accepted incentives to leave the agency to rescind those departures in order to “fill critical vacancies.” Internal communications indicate the plan focuses on mission-critical roles, with one briefing pointing to bringing back roughly 400 revenue agents and 300 revenue officers. The National Treasury Employees Union welcomed the shift, arguing service quality will benefit from retaining trained staff. 

The reversal follows a steep workforce contraction this year. A recent report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration outlined that about 25 percent of the IRS workforce separated or entered a deferred resignation program by May 2025, raising concerns about service levels heading into the next filing season. 

At the same time, the agency is gathering public feedback on free tax-filing options. A new IRS survey asks taxpayers to weigh in on the government-run Direct File tool, piloted in 2024 and expanded in 2025, as well as potential alternatives. Congress directed Treasury to study options and report by Oct. 2, after allocating $15 million for that review. The questionnaire notes an estimated initial cost of about $10-$20 per return for a national rollout of Direct File; outside experts quoted in coverage questioned the framing and asked for comparable cost disclosures for private-sector options. 

Accounting Today reported that according to an email from acting IRS human capital officer David Traynor and acting deputy IRS chief human capital officer David Allen, the IRS will contact eligible staff about DRP recissions, pending Treasury approval. Meanwhile the IRS is collecting feedback on Direct File and alternatives through Sept. 2, with Treasury’s report due Oct. 2.