The IRS employs roughly 75,000 to 80,000 people across the United States

The Internal Revenue Service is a federal agency that operates under the Department of the Treasury. Its workforce has fluctuated over the past decade, but current staffing levels sit in the range of 75,000 to 80,000 employees. This number includes revenue agents, customer service representatives, criminal investigators, tax examiners, and administrative staff spread across regional offices, service centers, and headquarters locations.

The actual headcount varies year to year based on congressional funding decisions and budget appropriations. Congress controls how much money the IRS receives each fiscal year, which directly determines how many positions the agency can fill and maintain. During periods of budget cuts, the IRS has reduced its workforce. During periods of increased funding, it has hired more staff.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS currently employs between 75,000 and 80,000 people, though this number changes based on annual congressional funding.
  • IRS employees work in multiple roles: tax examiners, revenue agents, customer service representatives, criminal investigators, and administrative positions.
  • The agency operates regional offices, service centers, and a headquarters location, with staff distributed across all 50 states.
  • Staffing levels have declined significantly since 2010, when the IRS employed over 90,000 people.

Where IRS employees work

IRS staff are not concentrated in one location. The agency maintains a headquarters in Washington, D.C., but most employees work in regional service centers, field offices, and processing facilities scattered across the country. Major service centers exist in places like Kansas City, Ogden, Utah, and Memphis, Tennessee, where bulk tax return processing and customer service operations happen.

Field offices in most states handle audits, investigations, and in-person taxpayer services. Criminal Investigation Division offices operate nationwide to pursue tax fraud cases. This geographic spread means that when you contact the IRS by phone or mail, you may be reaching someone in a different state than where you live.

What IRS employees actually do

The workforce breaks down into several broad categories. Revenue agents conduct audits and examine tax returns for accuracy and compliance. Tax examiners review returns for errors and inconsistencies, often working in service centers. Customer service representatives answer phones and respond to written inquiries from taxpayers. Criminal investigators pursue cases of tax fraud and financial crimes.

Beyond these frontline roles, the IRS employs accountants, attorneys, IT specialists, human resources staff, and managers. The agency also hires seasonal workers during tax season to handle the surge in phone calls and correspondence that arrives between January and April.

How staffing has changed over time

The IRS workforce has shrunk considerably since 2010. At that time, the agency employed over 90,000 people. Budget cuts over the following years reduced staffing to current levels. This reduction has affected the agency's ability to answer phones, process returns quickly, and conduct audits.

The impact is visible to taxpayers: wait times for phone support have grown, and the backlog of unprocessed returns has increased during peak tax season. Congress has periodically increased IRS funding in recent years, which has allowed some hiring, but staffing levels remain below where they were in the early 2010s.

IRS hiring and career paths

The IRS hires through the federal government's standard hiring process. Most positions require U.S. citizenship, a valid Social Security number, and a background check. Entry-level tax examiner and revenue agent positions typically require a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, though some positions accept general education combined with relevant work experience.

Job openings are posted on USAJobs.gov, the official federal job board. The IRS also hires seasonal workers for temporary positions during tax season, which typically require less specialized education. These roles offer a way to enter federal employment and sometimes lead to permanent positions.

Why IRS staffing matters to you

The size of the IRS workforce directly affects how quickly the agency processes your return, responds to your questions, and handles disputes. When staffing is low, processing times lengthen, phone lines become harder to reach, and correspondence takes longer to answer. When staffing is adequate, the same tasks move faster.

Staffing levels also influence how many audits the IRS conducts. Fewer revenue agents means fewer audits overall, which can affect compliance rates across the tax system. This is one reason Congress's funding decisions for the IRS have broader economic implications beyond just the agency's operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reach an actual IRS employee?

You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours, Monday through Friday. Wait times vary, especially during tax season. You can also visit a local IRS office in person or send written correspondence to the address on your tax notice. The IRS website includes a locator tool to find the office nearest you.

Can I work for the IRS?

Yes. The IRS hires through USAJobs.gov, where all federal positions are posted. Most permanent positions require a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. The IRS also hires seasonal workers during tax season with less stringent education requirements. You must be a U.S. citizen and pass a background check.

Why does it take so long to get a response from the IRS?

Processing delays are often tied to staffing levels and the volume of returns or inquiries the IRS receives. During tax season, the agency receives millions of returns and thousands of phone calls daily. With fewer employees than in previous years, the IRS processes these at a slower pace. Staffing shortages are a primary reason for extended wait times.

Does the IRS have offices in my state?

Yes. The IRS operates field offices in all 50 states, plus service centers and processing facilities. You can find the office nearest you using the IRS office locator on IRS.gov. Some states have multiple offices depending on population and tax activity in that region.