A suited man goes through accounting books with an IRS business card on his desk. Image via Shutterstock.
The IRS is considering eliminating alternative-language options for tax filers in response to President Donald Trump's order designating English the official language of the United States, reported The Washington Post on Thursday.
That could mean that the IRS would no longer supply forms translated into Spanish or other languages, or provide free translators for people trying to work through issues with their tax filings.
The move comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a Justice Department memo on implementation of that order, directing all federal agencies to “phase out unnecessary multilingual offerings” and “consider redirecting these funds towards research and programs that would expedite English-language acquisition and increase English-language proficiency and assimilation.”
Legal experts have emphasized that Trump does not have clear constitutional authority to designate an official language for the United States.
The IRS currently states as part of its civil rights guidance that it does not discriminate based on "age, sex, color, disability, race, religion, and national origin (including limited English proficiency).”
Following Bondi's guidance, said the report, "Treasury Department officials wrote in emails Sunday that the IRS would need to reevaluate the agency’s 'Commitment to assist non-English speaking taxpayers understand their tax obligations,' a policy that now requires it to serve 'those who lack a full command of the English language.' It may also need to review — and decide whether to cease providing — translations for more than 100 forms in Spanish and other languages, free phone and in-person translation services, the IRS’s multi-language website, its Spanish-language social media accounts and programs that allow taxpayers to receive forms and notifications in the language of their choosing."
Trump has signed another order explicitly requiring English language proficiency for truck drivers to operate in the United States.
This follows reporting that Trump is taking steps to eliminate the Direct File system established under the Biden administration to give taxpayers a free alternative to private tax preparation services, sparking outrage from consumer rights advocates.
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