IRS Removes Sections of Internal Revenue Manual Following Trump's DEI Executive Order

IRS Removes Sections of Internal Revenue Manual Following Trump's DEI Executive Order

forbes.com

IRS Removes Sections of Internal Revenue Manual Following Trump's DEI Executive Order

Following President Trump's executive order targeting DEI initiatives, sections of the IRS Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) have been removed, impacting access to information on Offers in Compromise, the Large Business and International division, and programs serving diverse taxpayers, including the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) and Low Income Tax Clinics (LITCs).

English
United States
PoliticsJusticeTrump AdministrationTax PolicyIrsGovernment TransparencyPublic AccessInternal Revenue Manual
IrsInternal Revenue Manual (Irm)Large Business And International (Lb&I) DivisionTaxpayer Advocacy Panel (Tap)Low Income Tax Clinic Program (Litcs)Treasury Department
Donald TrumpDanny WerfelDouglas O'donnellWilliam PaulErin M. CollinsElizabeth AskeyFumi TamakiJodie ReynoldsDavid PadrinoBridget RobertsKaren HowardKenneth CorbinHeather MaloyGuy FiccoLou Ann KelleherHolly PazElizabeth KastenbergKimberly RogersLia ColbertEdward KillenJohn HinmanEmily Kornegay
What immediate consequences arise from the removal of sections from the IRS Internal Revenue Manual, specifically concerning taxpayer services and compliance?
Sections of the IRS Internal Revenue Manual (IRM), a comprehensive guide for IRS operations, have been removed following President Trump's executive order targeting DEI initiatives. This has resulted in the removal of pages related to DEI, human resources, and unexpectedly, other areas such as Offers in Compromise and the Large Business and International division.
What are the potential long-term implications of this widespread removal of information from the IRM, particularly regarding tax administration, equity, and transparency?
The removal of IRM sections, including those unrelated to DEI, suggests a hasty and potentially disruptive approach to implementing the executive order. The impact on tax professionals and taxpayers remains uncertain, particularly concerning the long-term availability of crucial information and services. The absence of key sections may hinder tax compliance and exacerbate existing inequalities in access to IRS resources.
How does the removal of sections related to the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) and Low Income Tax Clinics (LITCs) impact the IRS's ability to address taxpayer concerns and serve diverse populations?
The removal of these IRM sections reflects a broader shift in the IRS's priorities under the Trump administration. The executive order's focus on eliminating DEI initiatives has led to the removal of content related to taxpayer advocacy groups like the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) and programs serving underserved communities such as the Low Income Tax Clinic Program. This raises concerns about the IRS's commitment to serving diverse taxpayers.

Cognitive Concepts

3/5

Framing Bias

The article presents the removal of the IRM sections as a significant event and raises concerns about its potential impact. While it mentions the executive order as the reason, the framing emphasizes the potential negative consequences for taxpayers, particularly vulnerable groups. The headline and opening paragraphs immediately highlight the missing information and its potential ramifications. This framing may lead readers to perceive the removals more negatively than a purely neutral presentation might.

1/5

Language Bias

The language used is largely neutral, avoiding overtly charged or biased terms. However, phrases such as "sweeping changes" and "missing pages" might slightly frame the situation negatively. The article does a good job of objectively describing the events and consequences.

4/5

Bias by Omission

The article highlights the removal of numerous sections from the IRS Internal Revenue Manual (IRM), focusing on those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Offers in Compromise, LB&I Subject Matter Experts, Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, Low Income Tax Clinic Program, and Multilingual Initiatives. The omission of these sections, especially those assisting taxpayers with lower incomes or those who are non-native English speakers, raises concerns about potential bias against these groups. While the article acknowledges the sheer size of the IRM and the use of a word search to quickly comply with an executive order as a contributing factor, it doesn't fully explore whether other relevant sections were inadvertently removed or if this method disproportionately affected certain areas. The lack of a complete explanation regarding the selection criteria for removed content leaves room for speculation regarding potential bias by omission.

Sustainable Development Goals

Reduced Inequality Negative
Direct Relevance

The removal of sections from the IRS Internal Revenue Manual related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), taxpayer advocacy, and low-income taxpayer assistance programs disproportionately affects marginalized groups who rely on these resources. This undermines efforts to reduce inequality and ensure equitable access to tax services.