Text Resize
Print
Email
Subsribe to RSS Feed

Wednesday July 9, 2025

Washington News

Washington Hotline

IRS Collects $5.1 Trillion in 2024

On May 29, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the Data Book for fiscal 2024. The Data Book is an annual report on tax revenue and IRS activities for the prior year.

According to the Data Book, the IRS reported it collected $5.1 trillion in tax revenue and issued over 120 million refunds. This was a substantial increase over the $4.7 trillion of tax collected in the prior year. The largest portion of the $5.1 trillion was from individual income taxes, which amounted to $2.8 trillion in 2024.

This is the 30th year that the IRS has published the Data Book. The report also highlights the major changes in IRS leadership. During 2025, there have been four acting commissioners of the IRS.

The IRS had 90,516 full-time equivalent positions in 2024. The largest budget expense was for enforcement funding. The staff level is expected to change. During 2025, over 11,000 IRS employees have retired or selected an early-out option, including 3,623 revenue agents who no longer will be conducting audits.

The IRS conducted 505,514 audits in 2024. This is approximately 13% fewer audits than fiscal 2023. The IRS audits will raise an estimated $36.8 billion in 2024, down from the projected $39.6 billion in the prior fiscal year.

The IRS provided a higher level of taxpayer service this year. Its online services were very popular, especially the "Where’s My Refund?" tool.

In 2024, the IRS launched a "Digital First" initiative. This initiative has resulted in the IRS providing additional features to online accounts for taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses.

The IRS reports that it served over 62 million taxpayers in 2024. This service includes letters of correspondence, phone conversations and visits to taxpayer assistance centers. There were increases in 2024 in all these categories compared to the prior year. The IRS also served 11% more callers and 26% more taxpayers through personal visits.

Editor's Note: This is a time of great change at the IRS. It is helpful for the IRS that the 2025 tax bill is likely to continue many current law provisions. However, there will be substantial changes for tips and overtime and an increased standard exemption for seniors. The Senate is preparing its version of the tax bill. The White House hopes the House and Senate can pass the bill in July.


Published May 30, 2025
Print
Email
Subsribe to RSS Feed

Previous Articles

IRS Increases Use of Chatbots

IRS Advice for Late Filers, Extenders and Nonprofits

Avoiding Scammers Who Claim to be IRS Agents

Prepare for Summer Wildfires and Hurricanes

Benefit in 2025 With an IRA Charitable Rollover

scriptsknown
  • Bequests
    Bequests
    Joe and Anna have been faithful supporters of our organization. They believe it is important to help further our mission.
    More
  • Using a Beneficiary Designation to Make a Gift to Charity
    Using a Beneficiary Designation to Make a Gift to Charity
    Joanne and her late husband Hal had been longtime supporters of our organization. Recently, Joanne's children encouraged...
    More
  • Fixed Income for Retirement
    Fixed Income for Retirement
    After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small town, Patricia is ready to retire.
    More
  • Tax-Free Sale
    Tax-Free Sale
    Howard and Lynn were both age 55 when they purchased some vacant land a few miles outside of town. They thought real estate would be a good investment that could be sold later for a profit.
    More
  • Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Peter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities and built a sizable portfolio.
    More
  • Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Many years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was very pleased with her home, she bought stock in the company that built the home.
    More
  • Endowment Gift
    Endowment Gift
    Pat and Shelly were recently married. They both had been dedicated volunteers at their favorite charity for many years.
    More
  • Sale and Unitrust
    Sale and Unitrust
    Gene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. The company has done well.
    More
  • The Retirement Unitrust
    The Retirement Unitrust
    Mary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she and her husband Bill inherited the farm.
    More
  • Property Turns Into Income
    Property Turns Into Income
    Miranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their three children. After her spouse passed away, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her property.
    More
  • Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Luis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially in value.
    More
  • Part Gift and Part Sale
    Part Gift and Part Sale
    Susan and Kevin bought a vacant lot along Lake Michigan many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their family could spend their summers along the lake.
    More
  • Current Gifts
    Current Gifts
    As is the case with many families, there are times each year when Jim and Sharon focus their attention on gift giving.
    More
  • Gift of a Bank Account When No Longer Needed (POD)
    Gift of a Bank Account When No Longer Needed (POD)
    Keith has been a faithful supporter of The Marfan Foundation and makes regular gifts to support our work.
    More
  • Transferable on Death (TOD) Gifts
    Transferable on Death (TOD) Gifts
    Harold and Jeanne married after meeting at an event The Marfan Foundation held for our donors. They wanted to leave a legacy gift...
    More
  • A Bequest to Further Good Work
    A Bequest to Further Good Work
    Nancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.
    More
  • Deferred Gift Annuity
    Deferred Gift Annuity
    Several years ago, Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock.
    More
  • What Will You Do with Your Unspent Retirement Savings?
    What Will You Do with Your Unspent Retirement Savings?
    Michael and Kelly were retired engineers with two adult children. They owned a home, some stocks, and IRAs.
    More
  • Gift Annuity for Real Estate
    Gift Annuity for Real Estate
    Jonathan purchased his home many years ago for $80,000. The home is now worth $420,000. Jonathan wants to sell his home and buy a condo for $130,000.
    More
  • A Bequest to Save Taxes
    A Bequest to Save Taxes
    Thomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work, Thomas wanted to thank us with a gift from his estate.
    More
  • Leading for the Future
    Leading for the Future
    Luke and Cynthia spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
    More
  • Give it Twice Trust
    Give it Twice Trust
    While visiting her favorite charity's website, June came across the idea of a give it twice trust. She contacted the charity for more information.
    More
  • Providing for Our Children's Future
    Providing for Our Children's Future
    Ron and Kathy worked for many years building their nest egg for retirement.
    More
  • Bequest of Insurance
    Bequest of Insurance
    Marla and Wayne purchased a life insurance policy many years ago to create security for their children's future.
    More
  • Testamentary Charitable Remainder Unitrust: Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!
    Testamentary Charitable Remainder Unitrust: Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!
    We have all heard the saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too." This phrase describes a situation where we want two good things at the same time when that isn't possible.
    More