Elon Musk has set his sights on reforming the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as part of a larger plan to overhaul federal spending. Partnering with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, the billionaire pushes for massive budget cuts to streamline government operations through their newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E).
Their vision includes cutting $2 trillion in federal expenses by targeting agencies they believe are inefficient or outdated.
Plans to restructure the IRS
Musk has called the IRS “a mess” and criticized its inefficiency and alleged wasteful spending. The D.O.G.E initiative proposes significant workforce reductions within the agency, aiming to eliminate what Musk refers to as “administrative overgrowth.” The initiative also suggests relocating the IRS outside Washington to reduce its influence and operational costs.
Another proposed measure is creating a free, government-backed tax filing app to simplify the tax process for Americans. Musk has argued that such an app would eliminate the need for third-party services like TurboTax, which have faced allegations of misleading taxpayers. Audits and reviews of the IRS’s spending and processes are also on the table to increase transparency and accountability.
Broader cuts to federal agencies
The D.O.G.E team has identified several other agencies for budget reductions or complete elimination. Musk has called for defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), claiming it is redundant and overlaps with other entities. Vivek Ramaswamy has echoed these sentiments, labeling the agency unnecessary. Their plans also include significant cuts to the Department of Education, with Ramaswamy suggesting its potential dismantling.
Even the Pentagon’s $1 trillion budget has come under scrutiny. Ramaswamy has accused the Department of Defense of wasting $125 billion annually on bureaucracy. Meanwhile, funding for public broadcasting, including PBS and NPR, is also on the chopping block, with Musk and Ramaswamy asserting that the allocation lacks congressional approval.
Focus on government workforce and operations
D.O.G.E’s strategy includes an aggressive approach to reducing the federal workforce. Plans involve reviewing staffing levels across agencies to identify essential roles while offering severance packages and incentives for early retirement to minimize resistance. Musk has also called for federal employees to return to in-office work five days a week, expecting many to resign voluntarily.
The Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and Securities and Exchange Commission are other agencies being evaluated for possible budget cuts. Critics have pointed out longstanding inefficiencies in these institutions, including outdated technology and delays in critical operations, further fueling the push for reform.
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