IRS Says Federal Workers Owe $1.1 Billion in Back Taxes

More than 100,000 civilian federal workers owed more than $1.1 billion in back taxes by the end of 2014, according to an IRS report on tax delinquency that was released Tuesday.

The IRS releases its report on tax delinquency each year, but the 2014 report shows things have gotten worse for federal workers — the $1.14 billion owed is the highest on record.

According to the IRS, even employees of the federal government don't like paying taxes — $1.1 billion is still owed by these employees.

Federal workers have owed more than $1 billion each year since 2009, but had never owed more than $1.1 billion before. In 2004, federal workers owed about $600 million.

"It is an honor and a privilege to serve in the federal workforce," House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) said in reaction to the report. "It is disconcerting that federal civilian employees owe more than one billion dollars in back taxes."

"These employees are not exempt from their civic responsibility to fulfill tax obligations and those who refuse to pay what they owe should be held accountable," he said.

Source: IRS

Chaffetz said his committee would meet Wednesday to consider his legislation that would prohibit anyone with "seriously delinquent tax debts" from working in the federal government.

The IRS report said that when retired civilian government workers and active and retired military are included, about $3.5 billion in back taxes are owned. The single largest amount comes from retired military personnel, who owe about $1.5 billion.

Among active federal workers, most delinquent agency is the U.S. Postal Service, whose employees owe $345 million in back taxes.

Read the IRS report here: