What A Day Don't Bank On Trump's Tax Cuts
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Feb 19, 2026 Vanessa Williamson, Brookings senior fellow and author on taxation and democracy, breaks down the IRS staffing collapse and its fallout. She discusses slowed refund processing, weakened enforcement that could widen the tax gap, halted modernization like Direct File, data-sharing trust issues, and why headline refund numbers may be misleading.
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Massive IRS Brain Drain
- The IRS lost about a quarter of its workforce and over three quarters of senior career leadership under the current administration.
- Vanessa S. Williamson warns this unprecedented turnover drained expertise crucial for tax administration and enforcement.
File Early To Beat Delays
- Expect longer wait times and service delays when contacting the IRS this tax season.
- Do your taxes early to avoid the crush and reduce risk of scams, Vanessa S. Williamson recommends.
Understaffing Will Widen The Tax Gap
- The US tax gap is roughly $700 billion and was shrinking due to increased enforcement pre-2025.
- Williamson says understaffing will likely increase the gap as enforcement at the top declines.
