The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to close more than 120 IRS taxpayer assistance centers as part of a broader effort to reduce government spending and shrink the federal workforce.
The closures come during the height of tax season, which runs until April 15, raising concerns about the potential impact on taxpayers who rely on in-person assistance.
The decision was detailed in a letter from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which was obtained by The Washington Post.
According to the letter, the closures will primarily target IRS offices operating under “soft-term” leases—those that can be terminated with little notice—unless they are deemed “public-facing.” In such cases, the GSA will conduct a case-by-case review before finalizing any decisions.
This move follows the administration’s recent layoffs of approximately 7,000 probationary IRS employees, reinforcing its push to reduce the size of the federal government.
While officials have framed these decisions as necessary cost-cutting measures, critics argue that shutting down taxpayer assistance centers will create barriers for individuals who need in-person support to file their taxes.
The affected offices, known as Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), provide free, in-person help to filers who need guidance on tax-related issues.
These services are particularly valuable for individuals who have difficulty accessing online resources or navigating complex tax rules. Currently, taxpayers must schedule an appointment to visit a TAC, and demand for in-person help often increases as the filing deadline approaches.
The IRS had been expanding these centers in recent years, largely due to increased funding from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Since the act’s passage, the agency had opened or reopened more than 50 assistance locations, bringing the nationwide total to over 360. However, the administration’s decision to shut down over 120 of these offices represents a significant reversal in policy.
According to the GSA letter, IRS employees stationed at affected locations will have at least 120 days to vacate their offices once the lease terminations are formally announced. Notifications to landlords are expected to begin soon.
The closures have sparked concerns among lawmakers and taxpayer advocacy groups, who worry that eliminating in-person services will disproportionately affect elderly individuals, lower-income filers, and those who struggle with digital access. Many of these taxpayers rely on the TACs for help resolving issues such as identity verification, tax return corrections, and inquiries about tax credits.
Proponents of the move argue that reducing the IRS’s physical footprint is a necessary step in streamlining operations and cutting unnecessary costs. They contend that advancements in online services and customer support call centers can adequately replace in-person assistance, making many TACs redundant.
The National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent organization within the IRS, has previously reported that millions of calls to the agency go unanswered each year. The loss of in-person help could further complicate tax filing for those who are already struggling to get assistance.