The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the US is rehiring the probationary employees who were laid off earlier in 2025 by the Trump administration, Federal News Network reported.
The probationary employees were asked to join by 14 April.
This follows a directive from a federal judge that ordered the reinstatement of employees who were let go during their probationary phase.
In March, IRS had placed these workers on administrative leave following the court’s decision.
IRS also sent an email to approximately 7,000 probationary employees it recently fired.
The email stated: “You are receiving this email as one of approximately 7,000 probationary employees who were separated from service and have been reinstated in compliance with recent court orders.
“At this time, while you remain on administrative leave, you will soon receive instructions for how to return on full-time duty by April 14.”
The IRS communication outlined plans for providing details about work assignments, telework options in case of limited office space, benefits updates, and the handling of outside employment.
However, employees wishing to opt out of returning were given instructions to submit their resignation via an internal IRS email address.
The terminations were part of a broader effort under the Trump administration aimed at downsizing the federal government.
This initiative sought to reduce the IRS workforce by 18%, with the agency employing about 100,000 staff members at the beginning of the year.
The workforce reduction is being carried out in phases, starting with voluntary resignations, followed by the probationary employee terminations.
The next wave of cuts is scheduled for completion by 15 May 2025 as part of an ongoing reduction-in-force plan.
The majority of the cuts are concentrated in the enforcement sector of the IRS, according to Bloomberg Law report.
These reductions are anticipated to result in longer processing times, delays in tax refunds, and challenges in ensuring that affluent taxpayers meet their tax obligations.
