Title: Thousands of IRS Workers Laid Off in Central Florida
Location: Orlando, Florida
In a significant move impacting the workforce at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), thousands of employees across the nation have received termination notices, with many affected workers located in Central Florida, including Orlando, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, and Lakeland.
Among those impacted are Rita Santiago and Debora Talutto, both of whom were caught off guard after dedicating years to the agency and its mission. "I have 27 years of experience in accounting, finance, and taxes—I thought this was my big break," expressed Santiago, reflecting on her recent employment with the IRS.
Reports indicate that approximately 100 employees, comprising about one-third of the workforce at the Orlando office, were laid off in a decisive action taken by the federal government earlier this week. Talutto, who brings 20 years of experience in international tax and transfer pricing to the table, shared her dismay. "I used to teach at the University of Florida and Texas A&M in online transfer pricing programs," she said. Despite her extensive background, Talutto’s status as a probationary employee made her vulnerable in this wave of layoffs. "If they’re talking about merit and experience, I think I shouldn’t be on the list. But the reality is that I’m a probationary employee, and that’s why I’m being fired," she noted.
The White House has issued a statement regarding the layoffs, emphasizing that the objective is to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent on productive employees. Kevin Hassett, a White House Advisor, explained, “More than 100,000 people are working to collect taxes, and not all of them are fully occupied.” This reduction in workforce is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving efficiency within the IRS.
George Carpenter, president of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), has voiced strong objections to the mass layoffs, citing ongoing lawsuits filed in federal courts. "It’s gonna be a significant impact on federal workers, who are everyday Americans, and it’s gonna have a significant impact on the services that Americans count on and pay taxes for,” Carpenter stated. Union representatives have warned that these job cuts may result in longer wait times for essential services such as Social Security, veterans’ affairs, appointments, and tax refunds.
For employees like Santiago, the layoff has generated uncertainty and anxiety about the future. “What am I gonna do now in a country where I’ve only been nine months?” she questioned, having relocated from Puerto Rico with hopes of building a new life alongside her son. The abrupt ending of her position has left her feeling disheartened. “I left everything in Puerto Rico just to be here, and it’s heartbreaking,” she lamented.
As the situation continues to unfold, local IRS employees and their families will be grappling with the repercussions of these layoffs, while the NTEU advocates for the affected workers and their rights. The layoffs highlight an ongoing conversation surrounding federal employment, efficiency, and the ability of employees to fulfill their roles in serving the public effectively.
For ongoing updates on this story and its implications for workers and services, subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
By Jarell Baker, WKMG-TV
Share this article:
