The IRS plans to lay off roughly 7,000 workers in Washington and around the country beginning Thursday, according to an AP source.

The IRS will lay off 7,000 workers starting Thursday, primarily affecting probationary employees in compliance roles across the U.S.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service will begin laying off about 6,000 employees on Thursday, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the plans. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington) Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.

With the IRS laying off thousands of employees Thursday, many Americans may be wondering if their tax returns – or their refunds – will be affected.