Wichita Standard

Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas has voiced concerns regarding the work-from-home policy at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as expressed in his recent op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal titled "IRS Agents Shouldn’t Work From Home." Estes argues that the remote work arrangement has contributed to inadequate customer service for taxpayers both in Kansas and nationwide.

During a hearing by the House Ways and Means Committee, IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel confirmed to Rep. Estes that half of the IRS workforce continues to operate remotely. This revelation follows a Government Accountability Office report indicating underutilization of federal office spaces, with many agencies using less than 25% of their building capacity.

Estes emphasized, "Since the pandemic, my constituents have reported far more service complaints." He highlighted that his Wichita office handled over three times more IRS-related cases in 2023 compared to 2019, implying reduced efficiency among IRS staff since adopting remote work practices.

The hearing prompted a response from Commissioner Werfel, who instructed Washington-based IRS employees via email to adhere to a governmentwide standard requiring them to be on-site for at least half of their working days starting May 5. Werfel stated, “Ultimately, to ensure ongoing alignment with the 50% on-site mandate for teleworkers, we need to take the necessary steps to increase our trend toward more on-site work.”

Despite this directive, Rep. Estes believes further measures are needed: "Based on complaints my office has received, however, 50% may not be sufficient." He argues that inefficiencies resulting from current policies lead taxpayers to face delays and technical issues that hinder productivity.

In conclusion, Rep. Estes asserts that without competition or incentive for improvement like private businesses have, it falls upon Congress to ensure accountability within federal agencies like the IRS.