ORLANDO, Fla. — According to union officials, dozens of probationary workers in Central Florida have been fired as part of a nationwide downsizing at the IRS.

They were among about 7,000 IRS workers nationwide expected to lose their jobs in the coming days.

Outside the IRS Orlando office Thursday, the Central Florida chapter president for the National Treasury Employees Union denounced that decision.

“It’s a shame. It’s a sad day in America,” said George Carpenter. “The message to the employees is: (to) stay encouraged, to stay hopeful.”

U.S. Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett responded to questions about the cuts during a White House briefing Thursday.

“We’re studying every agency and deciding who to let go and why," he said. "We’re doing so very rationally, with a lot of support from analysis."

Carpenter estimated that about 100 IRS probationary employees have been let go between the Melbourne, Orlando, Lakeland and Daytona offices.

On Thursday, some former IRS employees teared up as they walked inside the Orlando office to return their computers and other materials.

Hours later, they walked out without a job.

“I’m angry and sad,” said Debora Correa Talutto, showing the termination letter she received at 11 a.m. Thursday.

She has been working as a tax law specialist since August 2024. 

“I am disappointed because, in my opinion, this has nothing to do with merits,” she said.

The letter states: "Taking into account your performance and in light of current mission needs, the agency finds your continued employment is not in the public interest.”

“I have letters here from every one that was working with me, in all my cases, saying how important my work was, and so this is a complete lie,” Talutto said.

She was under her a probationary period at the IRS. Now, she says she has to re-think her career.

“There are people behind those jobs, we are not numbers,” she said.

While some were fired, others who are not probationary employees, like Aaron McCants, say there is uncertainty about the future.

“I may be next, I don’t know," he said. "I worry about it for my family."

McCants is a revenue agent at the IRS in Orlando. He is also the vice-president of the NTEU, the National Treasury Employees Union.

The union protects and fights for federal employees.

“We know how it’s going to impact the services that the people of Orlando depend on,” he said.

In the middle of tax season, McCants says it could impact federal income tax returns being processed.

But on Thursday, it went beyond that for Talutto, and for McCants, who will have to come back to work Friday without some of his friends.

“We represent them, so we take it to heart, how they feel,” he said.

The termination letters also say employees can file an appeal and a complaint. Union leaders and ex-employees say they plan on fighting the terminations.

As far as Talutto, she is reaching out to her network to figure out what her next steps will be.