Senator Ernst targets tax-dodging federal workers with new legislation

In the United States, Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, has made headlines by introducing significant legislation aimed at addressing tax compliance among federal employees. As the Tax Day approached in April 2025, Ernst unveiled the Tax Delinquencies and Overdue Debts are Government Employees' Responsibility (Tax DODGER) Act in response to growing concerns regarding unpaid taxes within the federal workforce. The proposed bill emerged after alarming reports indicated a substantial number of federal employees, particularly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), had accrued substantial tax debts. The Tax DODGER Act seeks to ensure accountability by mandating the IRS to publish an annual report disclosing tax delinquencies of current and retired federal employees. Such transparency is deemed necessary to restore public trust in the federal government, especially in light of recent findings that approximately 149,000 federal employees owed $1.5 billion in back taxes, with more than 2,000 IRS employees alone owing over $12 million collectively. Ernst emphasized the issue, stating it is unacceptable for government workers to neglect their tax responsibilities while citizens fulfill their obligations. Furthermore, the proposed legislation could also disqualify federal job applicants with serious tax debt, unless they qualify for a hardship exemption. Ernst insists that the employment of individuals who fail to pay taxes should not be tolerated in federal offices. Her efforts resonate with public frustration over perceived government disparities, where rules seem applicable to the average citizen but not to powerful bureaucrats. The senator's push for tighter legislation is aimed at ending a culture of entitlement within Washington, which she described as fostering a 'rules for thee, but not for me' mentality. In addition to the publication of annual tax delinquency reports, the act empowers federal agency leaders to take disciplinary actions, including dismissing employees who are found to have understated tax liabilities or failed to file returns. Ernst's initiative not only addresses the pressing issue of tax compliance but also aims to restore faith in the IRS following years of concern regarding the agency's integrity and efficiency. By targeting government employees who do not meet their own tax obligations, Ernst's office aims to elevate ethical standards within federal employment and reinstate credibility to tax collection processes.