Senator Ernst pushes IRS to recover $46M in taxes

Senator Joni Ernst has called for IRS workers and contractors to repay up to $46 million in taxes they owe. A report from July 2024 revealed that over 5,800 IRS employees and contractors were behind on their taxes as of May 2023. Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, leads the Senate's government efficiency caucus. She wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying the IRS must ensure compliance with tax laws among its own staff. She emphasized that the IRS should be accountable before addressing tax issues with private citizens. According to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), about 2,034 IRS workers are on payment plans for approximately $17 million, while many others are not making payments. As of November 2024, there were still 860 IRS employees with overdue tax bills, including 50 who were found to have willfully evaded their tax obligations. Unpaid taxes are a long-standing issue for the IRS. A 2022 estimate indicated a tax gap of around $696 billion. A previous TIGTA report from March 2023 noted that over 42,000 federal employees had missed tax filing deadlines in multiple years. Ernst also pointed out that some IRS contractors had been rehired despite previous misconduct. She urged for reforms within the agency, particularly regarding outdated systems for collecting taxes. Ernst advocates for the SAMOSA Act, which aims to save money by consolidating software licenses. The senator criticized the IRS for limited access to essential services, like obtaining an employer identification number (EIN), which is currently available only during weekdays. She believes the IRS should improve its services, including making the EIN system accessible 24/7.