This year's tax season in the United States is bringing anxiety not just to many taxpayers but also to the staff of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On March 10, the IRS implemented a policy called "Return-to-Office" (RTO), which required employees to return to their offices on a full-time basis. However, according to interviews with eight anonymous IRS employees by the industry media outlet *Business Insider*, this policy has not met expectations and has instead created numerous challenges. Prior to the RTO announcement, IRS employees received emails in late February informing them that all staff living within 50 miles of their office must return to work five days a week. Remote Work Agreements were to be terminated. The email stated that returning to the office would enhance teamwork, mentorship, and a sense of camaraderie. In reality, however, the situation was far from ideal. Upon returning, employees found the office environment severely lacking in basic facilities. There was insufficient workspace, forcing some to work in meeting rooms or the cafeteria. Network connections were unstable, causing frequent call disruptions, and there was a shortage of essential office equipment. “Everyone is very unhappy, and this has had a significant impact on productivity,” one returning employee said. The poor working conditions have also raised concerns among staff about the security of taxpayer information. In crowded spaces, it is challenging to protect data that is not specifically assigned to an individual, a critical aspect of IRS operations both culturally and legally. These issues are not new. *Business Insider* reported in 2022 that an IRS office in Austin faced a backlog of paper tax forms due to staff shortages, which led to documents piling up in the cafeteria. This year, the problems have escalated. Since February, the IRS has dismissed approximately 7,000 employees who were on probation, exacerbating the already strained workforce. On April 7, the Treasury Department announced a second round of delayed resignation programs, but some employees, deemed "critical mission" personnel, were not eligible to participate. Critics, such as Brandon DeBot, the policy director at NYU's Tax Law Center, argue that the RTO policy poses unprecedented risks to taxpayer privacy. DeBot points to several factors, including the Department of the Treasury's (DOGE) requests for access to large amounts of tax data, the massive layoffs, and changes in upper management. These issues, he believes, highlight the necessity for a more measured and thoughtful approach to policy changes within the IRS. As the core agency responsible for processing federal tax returns in the United States, the IRS's stability is crucial. During the tax season, high-quality service and efficient processing directly impact taxpayer satisfaction. The RTO policy, far from boosting efficiency, may have the opposite effect, leading to more taxpayer frustration. Established in 1862, the IRS is a vital arm of the Treasury Department, tasked with managing and enforcing federal tax laws. Any policy that disrupts its operations, especially one that forces employees back to the office, should be handled with care, according to DeBot. The IRS has been grappling with technical and personnel issues for years, and the recent RTO policy seems to have exacerbated these problems. The government increased funding to the IRS through the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at addressing staffing shortages, but this has not fully resolved the issues. The Treasury Department spokesperson stated that efforts are underway to improve the work environment, accelerate high-impact building renovations, and provide suitable workspaces for all employees. Still, about 5,000 IRS employees do not have appropriate office conditions within 50 miles of their designated location. For the remaining employees, the RTO policy could make the upcoming tax season even more challenging. Some team members are still spread across other states, and the office environment does not support effective remote collaboration. Many employees feel that the policy is more about appearances and less about practical considerations and productivity. In summary, the IRS's RTO policy has encountered significant issues, from inadequate office space to unreliable network connections and a lack of equipment. These problems not only hinder employee productivity but also threaten the security of taxpayer information, potentially leading to greater public dissatisfaction. To restore trust and improve service, the Treasury Department and IRS must address these challenges promptly and effectively.