As Tax Day nears, a new Senate bill is aiming squarely at federal employees who haven’t paid their taxes—even as they collect taxpayer-funded salaries.
Key Facts:
- Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced the Tax DODGER Act on Monday.
- The bill targets federal employees with delinquent taxes, including current and retired staff.
- Nearly 150,000 federal workers owed $1.5 billion in back taxes as of FY 2021.
- Over 2,000 IRS employees alone owed $12 million in overdue taxes, per the Treasury Inspector General.
- The bill would allow agencies to deny employment or fire workers over “seriously delinquent” tax debt.
The Rest of the Story: Federal Employees and Tax Accountability
Sen. Joni Ernst introduced the Tax Delinquencies and Overdue Debts are Government Employees’ Responsibility (Tax DODGER) Act to expose and penalize federal employees with unpaid tax debts.
The legislation would require the IRS to issue yearly reports disclosing delinquent tax cases among federal workers, including those who failed to file tax returns.
If passed, the bill would give federal agency leaders the authority to fire employees who have been found, either by court or administrative ruling, to have underpaid or failed to file their taxes.
It also would allow agencies to reject job applicants with serious tax debt unless they qualify for a hardship exemption.
Reports on these tax delinquencies would be submitted annually to oversight bodies like the Office of Personnel Management and key Congressional committees.
This push comes after damning reports revealed massive tax shortfalls among government workers, including IRS staff.
In FY 2021, 149,000 federal employees reportedly owed $1.5 billion in unpaid taxes.
Within the IRS itself, 2,000 employees carried over $12 million in back taxes despite the agency’s mission of tax enforcement.
After a bombshell report shows the IRS employs thousands of tax cheats owing millions of dollars, I am auditing the auditors!
My Audit the IRS Act requires annual audits of the agency and fires every tax-dodging tax collector. https://t.co/X5150PTwqp
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) April 14, 2025
Commentary: Time for Accountability in Government Taxes
The idea that nearly 150,000 federal employees—many of whom are responsible for overseeing or enforcing tax law—are dodging their own tax obligations should concern every American.
When average citizens miss a payment or file late, they face fines, interest, and even potential legal action.
Yet the same bureaucrats whose salaries come from tax revenue seem to enjoy a different set of rules.
Senator Ernst’s Tax DODGER Act attempts to correct this imbalance.
The federal workforce must be held to a higher standard.
They are stewards of the public’s trust and money.
Allowing government workers to operate under more lenient rules undermines the legitimacy of both the IRS and the federal system as a whole.
The principle is simple: If you work for the government, especially in roles connected to tax collection or enforcement, you must pay your taxes on time.
No exceptions.
Those who fail to meet this basic requirement should not only be flagged but removed from federal service.
Average Americans are constantly reminded of their tax obligations.
Their lives can be upended over a missed form or delayed payment.
Why should bureaucrats be shielded from similar consequences?
If anything, they should be held to a stricter standard because they benefit from the very system they disrespect.
This is not just about money—it’s about trust.
The federal government cannot ask citizens to obey tax law while it employs thousands who ignore it.
Serious tax delinquency should be grounds for dismissal.
Anything less sends the message that government privilege trumps citizen responsibility.
The Bottom Line: Why the Tax DODGER Act Matters
Sen. Ernst’s proposed legislation forces a long-overdue conversation about accountability in the federal workforce.
Americans are expected to follow the law—government workers should be, too.
By requiring transparency and empowering agencies to fire offenders, the Tax DODGER Act could help restore public trust in both the IRS and broader government operations.
When it comes to taxes, there shouldn’t be two sets of rules—especially for those paid by the public.
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