Get Fired for Misconduct and Performance Issues? No Problem! The IRS Will Rehire You!

In February, 2016, Internal Revenue Commissioner John Koskinen spoke to the Senate Finance Committee and assured lawmakers that the problem of rehiring employees behind on their taxes, had past conduct or performance problems would be addressed.

But despite these promises, auditors found that the IRS rehired 200 former employees that were terminated for issues ranging from falsifying employment forms, unauthorized use of taxpayer accounts, misuse of email or property, workplace disruption, and violations of the Internal Revenue Code. Four of the rehired employees cheated on their own taxes and another four were found to have improperly accessing taxpayer records. In addition, one employee had several misdemeanors for theft and a felony for possession of a forgery device.

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration has recommended to the IRS Human Capital Officer to increase the amount of hiring officials and give them increased access to job candidates’ past performance records and require that the basis for rehiring them be clearly documented.