IRS Budget Cut
Could Lead to Increased Liability for Managers
Last
year, the Biden Administration proposed funding for the IRS that would allot
$80 billion over ten years with the goal of providing enforcement
infrastructure that could increase IRS revenues by approximately $200 billion.
However, the approved debt limit agreement as of June 2023 has lawmakers
looking to take some of those funds back to help prevent budget cuts to other
programs. Currently, just over $21 billion is slated to be removed from the
allocated IRS budget, shortening the runway of ten years to eight.
Some
argue that, because IRS auditors bring in more revenue than it costs to employ
them, cutting IRS enforcement may cause the federal government to lose money.
Others counter that there are other programs and initiatives in greater need of
support, and the funding should be allocated to them.
Regardless
of the reason, the proposed reduction in funding means IRS managers will
continue to face increased workloads, heightened scrutiny, and accountability
demands, increasing their exposure to allegations or complaints of wrongdoing.
Where there is increased scrutiny, disciplinary action and lawsuits often
follow. Regardless of position or years of service, IRS managers can find
themselves needing to hire and pay for outside legal counsel to defend and
dispute these matters, even if the allegation is ultimately baseless and/or out
of their control. Allegations of wrongdoing concerning IRS managers could
potentially be related to monetary losses to public programs, which may lead to
calls for accountability from individuals, politicians, or public interest
groups.
Professional vulnerability is not
exclusive to IRS managers – all federal employees are at risk of allegations,
lawsuits, and discipline that can derail your career and financial stability. Alleged
incidents involving federal employees can lead to agency investigations. If an
allegation is made against you, it is a necessity, not luxury, to have
knowledgeable and effective counsel advocating on your behalf. Your agency
attorney is not your attorney. It is the job of the agency attorney to defend
the agency – not you. It is crucial that you have counsel that has specific
experience representing federal employees with your professional
vulnerabilities. As the professional liability insurance (PLI) provider endorsed
by the leading federal employee associations, such as Professional Managers
Association (PMA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and
Senior Executives Association (SEA), FEDS Protection can help.
Inclusion
in Action
FEDS Protection wants to celebrate those who work
together from diverse backgrounds that move our country forward. These efforts
are not and cannot be made alone. They are completed each day with empathy,
energy, and intentionality. While some moments can be awkward, small wins can
be awesome. Regardless, each inclusive
action is worth the effort.
We hope each of you can play a small part in the
path toward progress and continue to do so in your own way. We will continue to
stand with you in this effort every step of the journey.
Testimonials
"Here’s a 19th Watch-out Situation for firefighters: Beware of
criminal, civil, and administrative liability when something goes wrong on one
of your fires, even if you’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. You can cooperate
with your agency and protect yourself at the same time, but you need legal
advice to accomplish these dual and sometimes conflicting goals. The fire
investigation process has become a thicket of thorns, as the testimonials on
this website will tell you in vivid detail. If you have professional liability
insurance, keep it. If you don’t have it, get it.”– John N. Maclean (Author)
Radio & Webinars
The
FEDS team hosted a webinar on Professional Liability Insurance for the Federal Executive
Institute Alumni Association (FEIAA). The link is included below. Please share
with a colleague and learn why Professional Liability Insurance is essential
for personal and professional peace of mind! This benefit is so important, it
could be partially reimbursed for many federal employees!
PLI for FEIAA members
FEDS On the Road
June
- FEIAA
Executive Forum (virtual)
- FCIA
27th Annual Charity Golf Outing (Crete, IL)
- Navy
Contracting Summit (Virginia Beach, VA)
- FedCon
(Washington, D.C.)
- NACS
National Convention (Omaha, NE)
July
- National
Contract Managers Association World Congress (Nashville, TN)