(The Epoch Times)—Tax noncompliance among federal employees and retirees has increased over recent years, partly due to the suspension of certain collection programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a May 6 report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
Data from the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) federal delinquency initiative (known as FERDI) shows that “the overall delinquent balance owed by federal employees and retirees increased by more than $1.5 billion (32 percent) between FY 2021 and FY 2024,” TIGTA said.
“The federal and retiree workforce decreased by less than one percent from FY 2021 through FY 2024. However, there was a significant increase of 43 percent in the number of delinquent federal employees and retirees during the same period.”
As of 2024, “there were more than 571,000 current federal and retired employees with an outstanding tax obligation owing approximately $6.3 billion.”
According to the IRS Collection management, the annual increase in taxes owed by current federal employees and retirees was due to temporary pauses in three initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery years—collection notice issuance, levy programs, and the Automated Substitute for Return program, which is an enforcement tool to deal with nonfilers.
In August 2024, the IRS started a phased resumption of levy programs, with the agency anticipating that delinquency rates will decline over the upcoming years, the report said.
To address noncompliance among current federal employees and retirees, IRS Collection created Notice LT36 in May 2025. The letter encourages such people to voluntarily pay off their tax dues. By July 14, 2025, around 427,000 of these letters were sent by the IRS.
As of August 2025, around 59,000 LT36 recipients had made a payment, with 4,700 taxpayers paying off their outstanding balances in full. In total, the IRS collected $58 million following the issuance of these notices.
In the report, TIGTA cited a letter sent by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to the Acting IRS Commissioner last year, which expressed concerns about high delinquency rates among current federal employees and retirees.
“All federal employees have a heightened responsibility to follow the laws and rules and pay their taxes,” Grassley said in the April 2, 2025.
“Taxpayers deserve to be assured that federal employees, whose salaries and benefits are funded through taxpayer dollars, are held to account by the IRS for failing to pay their tax obligations, just like the rest of Americans are held to account.”
Grassley cited the 2023 FERDI report and highlighted that, as of May 2023, 4 percent of IRS employees had not fully paid their tax balances.
IRS Employee Non-Compliance
In 2024, TIGTA published a report detailing its auditors’ assessment of IRS employees. According to the report, out of the 85,359 employees at the IRS, 3,414 had unpaid taxes of around $21 million.
In addition, among IRS contractors, many of whom are former agency employees, 10 percent had outstanding taxes of roughly $25 million.
And while “the law requires an employee who has either willfully not filed or willfully understated their taxes due to be removed, subject only to the IRS Commissioner’s mitigation, this disciplinary action is not always enforced,” the report said.
Meanwhile, an August 2025 post by the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS, said that current and former federal employees can get an LT36 notification even if they do not owe any tax dues.
In fact, not filing tax returns is enough for the IRS to issue these notices, according to the organization. “The IRS can garnish your pay and benefits. FERDI permits wage garnishment, pension withholding, and other automated collection actions,” the post said.
According to the organization, the IRS was sending LT36 notices to several former and current federal workers with unpaid tax debts at the time.
“Some agencies are seeing more notices than others. The U.S. Postal Service and Department of Veterans Affairs report higher rates of affected employees. Noncompliance can lead to job loss. Proposed Office of Personnel Management rules will now allow agencies to fast-track dismissal for an unresolved tax debt.”
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
