WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced a
sweeping office space and rent reduction initiative that over the next 2 years
will close 43 smaller offices and reduce space in many larger facilities. These
measures will save more than 40 million in taxpayer dollars. Coupled with space
reductions last year, the initiative will slash total IRS office space by more
than one million square feet.
“Given today’s tight budget environment, we have to be willing to make the
tough but responsible calls to save taxpayer dollars,” said IRS Commissioner
Doug Shulman. “Cutting and consolidating our real estate is a responsible
way we can save money. It’s an important addition to our growing portfolio of
cost-saving measures.”
To ensure that the agency uses rental space as efficiently and effectively as
possible, the IRS will:
- Close 43 smaller offices.
These are offices without taxpayer assistance centers and currently have
fewer than 25 employees.
- Consolidate multiple offices
within the same commuting area.
- Explore innovative ways to do
more with existing space, such as desk sharing and increased
telecommuting.
None of the offices being closed under this initiative are walk-in
taxpayer assistance centers. Because of the nature of the work performed in
these offices, the IRS anticipates minimal taxpayer impact as a result of these
closures.
This cost-cutting initiative is projected to save $17.2 million in
annual rental costs in fiscal 2012 and $23.5 million in fiscal 2013. These are
permanent reductions in space and rent so these savings will be realized in
future years as well.
The initiative will cut space by 715,000 square feet in fiscal
2012 and 230,000 square feet in fiscal 2013. This is on top of a
105,000-square-foot reduction in fiscal 2011.
The IRS has more than 650 offices around the country. Today’s
initiative supplements space saving projects over the past seven years that are
now yielding $70 million annually in rental savings . This is part of a broader
Administration effort which has cut government real estate costs by over $1.5
billion and is on track to exceed the President's directive to save $3 billion
by the end of the year.
Author’s Note: I almost fainted when I
read this for the first time. I had
never seen the IRS voluntarily reduce anything before. Kudos to them for strapping down in these
tough times, maybe they are human after all?
Do you need your taxes to be
reduced? Come on by our office and we
will see what we can do to help!
David Rocci
Disclaimer: Every effort has been taken to provide the most accurate and honest analysis of the tax information provided in this blog. Please use your discretion before making any decisions based on the information provided. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for seeking professional tax advice based on your individual needs.