Overview

• William Paul, the IRS acting chief counsel, has been removed and replaced by Andrew De Mello, who is seen as supportive of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
• DOGE, led by Elon Musk, is seeking access to sensitive taxpayer data as part of efforts to reduce federal spending and address fraud in benefits programs.
• The IRS is planning to cut its workforce by up to 50%, with thousands of employees already laid off or incentivized to leave through buyouts.
• Paul’s removal follows resistance from career staff across multiple federal agencies to DOGE’s push for access to sensitive systems and data.
• Critics warn that these actions, including workforce reductions, may undermine the IRS’s ability to effectively manage tax collection and safeguard taxpayer information.