Full Breakdown
IRS Extends Involuntary Details for Back-Office Employees to Taxpayer Services Amid Backlog
5/2/2026, 8:02:37 AM
Extended Details for Back-Office Employees
In February, IRS moved 1,500 IT and HR employees to taxpayer-services roles for a 120-day detail. IRS chief of internal consulting Joseph Ziegler said most assignments, due to end in June, will be extended another 120 days, with a third extension possible if the amended-return backlog persists.
Staffing Context
It lost 27 % of its workforce last year and missed hiring targets, prompting the “One IRS” redeployment plan. About 1,200 IT workers have already been shifted out of the tech shop, and 65 % of detailed staff have passed a training exam. The IRS plans to hire 175 IT employees.
Official Statements & Responses
Ziegler said 120-day blocks will be reviewed for backlog reduction. Alex Kweskin urged staff to apply for IRS roles, noting they cannot return to prior IT or HR positions. Frank Bisignano framed it as part of a “One IRS” effort to place talent where needed, citing modernized systems and better filing-season results. Kaschit Pandya announced a hiring surge of 175 IT positions; Deidre Moran said reassignment frees examiners for complex work. Sources do not disclose backlog size or placement plans.
Employee Concerns
Detailed staff are training for GS-5 duties, a grade lower than their prior roles, with eight hours of sessions and camera monitoring that say it distracts from work. An IT employee called agency’s efficiency claims “pretty offensive,” arguing resources are spent on unqualified workers while experienced personnel are removed from frontline duties.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There might be people who aren’t extended and are sent to another initiative or another area in the IRS that we need resources in. But the majority of you will be extended in this detail,” — Joseph Ziegler, IRS chief of internal consulting
- “At another 120 days, we’re going to assess how much work was done. How much of the backlog have we brought down? And then we’ll make another assessment on whether we’re going to extend the detail again,” — Joseph Ziegler
- “By having you come in and work the 1040-Xs, it’s freeing up our seasoned employees to work some of our harder inventory,” — Deidre Moran, operations manager, IRS taxpayer services
- “It is pretty offensive to have them tell us how efficient things are when they are making the decision to waste so much money overpaying staff unqualified to do this work, rather than retaining the needed trained and experienced staff.” — IRS IT employee on a taxpayer-services detail
Future Outlook
The IRS will assess backlog reduction after the 120-day extension and decide on further extensions. Pandya’s plan to hire 175 IT staff and automate aims to address staffing shortfalls, and employees are encouraged to apply for open USAJobs positions.
