The IRS started laying off employees on Thursday, just as tax season kicks in to high gear. Why it matters: The terminations, reportedly of 6,000 relatively new workers at the agency, are part of President Trump's broader purge of the federal workforce.

The IRS will lay off thousands of probationary workers in the middle of tax season, according to two sources familiar with the agency’s plans, and cuts could come as soon as next week.

The tax agency is laying off 7,000 employees, but there are protections for taxpayers whose refund payments are delayed.

Layoffs at the IRS began Thursday, multiple outlets reported, with about 7,000 people—or 7% of the IRS’ workforce—expected to be impacted, a person familiar with the situation told The Washington Post;