1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing to express deep concern over recent reports indicating that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has terminated a significant number of forensic auditors specializing in auditing large corporations and high-net-worth individuals. This action raises serious questions about our nation’s commitment to equitable tax enforcement. According to a recent article by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the IRS has undergone mass firings that may lead to the premature closure of audits targeting wealthy taxpayers. These layoffs predominantly affect agents within the Large Business & International Division, responsible for auditing the nation’s wealthiest taxpayers. The timing of these firings is particularly troubling, as they coincide with previous budget cuts that had already hampered the IRS’s ability to effectively audit high-income individuals and large corporations. The same ICIJ article notes that these developments could undermine efforts to address high-end tax evasion, potentially resulting in substantial losses in public revenue. This situation not only jeopardizes the integrity of our tax system but also exacerbates economic inequality by allowing the most privileged to evade their fair share of taxes. It is imperative that Congress investigates these firings to ensure that tax enforcement is applied uniformly, regardless of wealth or corporate status. I urge you to take immediate action to: 1. Initiate a thorough investigation into the recent firings of IRS forensic auditors to assess their impact on ongoing and future audits of large corporations and high-net-worth individuals. 2. Evaluate the IRS’s current capacity to enforce tax laws effectively among the wealthiest taxpayers and determine what resources or policy changes are necessary to strengthen this capacity. 3. Ensure transparency in the IRS’s decision-making processes concerning personnel changes that significantly affect its enforcement capabilities. Maintaining public trust in our tax system requires that we hold all taxpayers accountable to the same standards. I trust you will give this matter the urgent attention it deserves.