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IRS furloughs nearly half of workers amid government shutdown
People exit the the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 20, 2025.
Kent Nishimura | Reuters
The IRS on Wednesday said that it was furloughing nearly half of its workforce due to the ongoing government shutdown.
About 34,000 IRS workers are being furloughed, according to the agency. Another 39,870 employees, representing 53.6% of the workforce, will remain on the job.
“Due to the lapse in appropriations, most IRS operations are closed,” the agency said in a message to employees on Wednesday.
“An IRS-wide furlough began on October 8, 2025, for everyone except already-identified excepted and exempt employees,” the message said.
“Employee who are not exempt or excepted are furloughed and placed in a non-pay and non-duty status until further notice; however, all employees should plan to report to work for their next tour of duty.”
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