In a significant move to overhaul the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently held his inaugural meeting with the agency.
This meeting marks a pivotal step in the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to revitalize the IRS, with Bessent stepping into the role of acting commissioner following the departure of Billy Long.
According to Breitbart, Secretary Bessent underscored three primary objectives for the IRS during this meeting: enhancing revenue collections, safeguarding privacy, and improving customer service. Despite criticism from detractors who argue that modernizing the IRS could lead to reduced revenue, the agency has reported a notable 14.7 percent increase in tax receipts for May.
Throughout the tax filing season, the IRS collected $2.04 trillion, a $100 billion rise from the previous year, with April receipts alone showing a 9.5 percent increase compared to 2024.
The IRS's renewed focus on customer service has yielded impressive results. The agency processed 141 million individual tax returns and issued $253 billion in refunds, reflecting a 3.2 percent increase from the prior year. Additionally, IRS taxpayer services efficiently handled 8.9 million calls, with an average wait time of just three minutes.
This improvement in service delivery was achieved while simultaneously cutting operational costs and reducing infrastructure technology spending by $2 trillion. The IRS's decision to cancel or modify 400 contracts resulted in savings of approximately $500 million.
Under the Trump administration, the IRS has significantly accelerated its software update schedule, transitioning from updates every two to three months to every two to three days. This rapid modernization is part of the agency's commitment to implementing reforms outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
This comprehensive legislation introduces over 100 new tax-related provisions, including the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, tax cuts for seniors, and the deductibility of auto loan interest.
A source familiar with the IRS's modernization efforts informed Breitbart News in April that the agency is striving to create the "most efficient" service while ensuring the protection of taxpayers' data. This commitment to efficiency and security is further emphasized by a statement from a U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson, who highlighted the assembly of a team of seasoned IRS engineers.
"The Treasury Department is pleased to have gathered a team of long-time IRS engineers who have been identified as the most talented technical personnel. Through this coalition, they will streamline IRS systems to create the most efficient service for the American taxpayer," the spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson further elaborated on the IRS's strategic direction, noting, "This week, the team will be participating in the IRS Roadmapping Kickoff, a seminar of various strategy sessions, as they work diligently to create efficient systems. This new leadership and direction will maximize their capabilities and serve as the tech-enabled force multiplier that the IRS has needed for decades."
As the IRS continues to implement these reforms, the agency's commitment to efficiency, taxpayer service, and data protection remains at the forefront of its mission. The Trump administration's focus on modernizing the IRS reflects a broader commitment to enhancing government efficiency and accountability, aligning with conservative values of limited government and individual freedom.
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