The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is on a mission to cut waste and improve how government services function. Recently, a DOGE adviser highlighted the challenges within the IRS, calling it difficult to fully understand the scope of the issues that the agency is facing.
According to DOGE representative Sam Corcos, “A big part of our government is about collecting taxes, but we are spending too much on contractors to even do that effectively. We need to find a way to dig ourselves out of this financial pit.” Corcos spoke about his efforts to enhance the IRS while working alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Corcos emphasized that a key focus during the first six months is modernizing the IRS, which has been trying to upgrade its systems for over three decades. He pointed out that the modernization project is already $15 billion over budget and still behind schedule. “It was meant to be finished in 1996, and we’re still waiting,” he said.
Bessent shared similar frustrations, highlighting the role of consulting firms that he believes are costing taxpayers dearly. He described them as “like a boa constrictor, squeezing the budget and resources.” He mentioned that a significant portion—around 80%—of the IRS operations budget goes to pay for contractors and licenses.
DOGE and the Trump administration are closely examining not only the IRS but several other federal agencies. Their goal is to reduce bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary regulations, and promote efficiency in government spending. However, their plans have faced criticism from some members of the Democratic Party.
Bessent responded by saying, “The entrenched interests, along with some in the media, want to derail this project. We are trying to make government work better for people, not eliminate it entirely. Why shouldn’t the IRS operate more efficiently and protect people’s privacy?”
He concluded that the main priorities for improving the IRS should focus on enhancing collections, ensuring privacy, and boosting customer service to make sure taxpayers feel satisfied with their experience. Bessent believes that accomplishing these goals will lead to a fairer taxation system while respecting taxpayer privacy.
