Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

highplainsdem

(62,629 posts)
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 08:23 PM Wednesday

Drop in immigrant tax filings may cost government billions as IRS shares data with ICE

Source: Washington Post

By the time Tax Day rolls around every April 15, accountant María José Solís usually has more to do. More clients. More paperwork. More phones ringing, more emails and WhatsApp messages pinging.

But this year, she said, more than 550 of her regular clients have disappeared. That’s about 15 percent of her customer base at Toro Taxes, the bilingual firm in Wheaton, Maryland, that Solís runs.

-snip-

Immigrants who are not legally authorized to work in the United States still do so — and many opt to pay into the tax system through a federal individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) that is available to people who don’t have Social Security numbers. Federal data shows that as of 2021, there were 5.4 million active ITIN users, though not all are assigned to undocumented immigrants.

-snip-

The Yale Budget Lab estimates that the IRS stands to lose between $147 billion and $479 billion over the next decade as migration to the U.S. declines, deportations increase and immigrants of various statuses disengage from the formal economy for what some experts say may be an extended period.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/04/15/tax-day-immigrant-filers-ice-arrests/

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Drop in immigrant tax filings may cost government billions as IRS shares data with ICE (Original Post) highplainsdem Wednesday OP
That means less money going into Social Security by a population that for the most part Buddyzbuddy Wednesday #1
+ riversedge Thursday #8
Guess what is losing billions due to Trump's mass deportations? CousinIT Wednesday #2
MAGA are super geniuses IronLionZion Wednesday #3
And the Repubs, who have always wanted to kill SS slightlv Wednesday #4
And they can't make the leap to... littlemissmartypants Wednesday #5
A large proportion of the employers of popsdenver Wednesday #6
I worked for a landscaping company TexasBushwhacker Thursday #9
Yes, "Immigrants don't pay taxes" is a canard. They may even may MORE than others. thesquanderer Thursday #10
Whenever Democrats call the Republican's bluff TexasBushwhacker Thursday #13
Damn right..they WILL withhold those taxes so the IRS doesn't come after them Bengus81 Thursday #17
Have I seen any employers nailed for hiring undocumented people??? travelingthrulife Thursday #12
Rarely if ever TexasBushwhacker Thursday #14
Republicans have decided they hate immigrants more than they love taking their money. Karasu Wednesday #7
Duh. travelingthrulife Thursday #11
We are existing on the dumbest timeline. nt City Lights Thursday #15
Huh?? Wait...those illegals never pay taxes right? Just ask jackass Republicans Bengus81 Thursday #16

Buddyzbuddy

(2,739 posts)
1. That means less money going into Social Security by a population that for the most part
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 08:42 PM
Wednesday

does not recieve benefit.

CousinIT

(12,626 posts)
2. Guess what is losing billions due to Trump's mass deportations?
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 09:56 PM
Wednesday

SOCIAL SECURITY.

Immigrants paid billions/year into it. Now, all that is gone.

This speeds up the upcoming shortfall by about 2-3 years if not sooner.

slightlv

(7,849 posts)
4. And the Repubs, who have always wanted to kill SS
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:11 PM
Wednesday

are the true winners... they are working the long game to kill off we, the useless eaters, once we have outlived our bodies.

littlemissmartypants

(34,032 posts)
5. And they can't make the leap to...
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:15 PM
Wednesday

Less money for them to steal from we the people, the USA, and for that small favor, I guess maybe we could be thankful.

Most spiteful and dumbest US administration ever.

popsdenver

(2,403 posts)
6. A large proportion of the employers of
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:38 PM
Wednesday

illegal immigrants withhold the taxes, etc from their wages, and just keep them instead of sending them to the Gov't, knowing the immigrants will never file a tax return..........
How many employers have you seen nailed because they didn't check to see if the applicant was a citizen, which is required by FEDERAL LAW???????

The Republican Party will sometime change the country's name from: The United State of America to:
The United Corporations of America, or rename it: The Fascist Corporations of America.......
Look no farther that WHO donates to all these Republican Politicians....The Republican Corporations have the best Politcians Money can Buy. (Greatly accelerated by the 2010 Supreme Court decision named "Citizens United".........)

TexasBushwhacker

(21,245 posts)
9. I worked for a landscaping company
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 12:55 AM
Thursday

All of our employees were legal, on paper. They had a driver's license and what appeared to be a valid Social Security Card. I offered to run everyone through E Verify and they told me "it's not required". So everyone got regular paychecks with Social Security, Medicare and federal income tax withheld.

thesquanderer

(13,056 posts)
10. Yes, "Immigrants don't pay taxes" is a canard. They may even may MORE than others.
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 09:14 AM
Thursday

Last edited Thu Apr 16, 2026, 11:04 AM - Edit history (1)

As you said, employers who "do the right thing" (even if just for their own protection!) will withhold payroll taxes as legally required (and that money is sent to the government, not held by the employer)... but also as popsdenver said, the immigrants may not file their own returns, which means they will not get the refunds that they may well be entitled to! (And of course, like everyone else, they pay sales taxes when they buy things, etc.)

TexasBushwhacker

(21,245 posts)
13. Whenever Democrats call the Republican's bluff
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 02:38 PM
Thursday

and suggest E-Verify should be made mandatory, it's the business community, largely Republicans, who say it would be "burdensome" and fight against it. EVERY TIME.

Bengus81

(10,249 posts)
17. Damn right..they WILL withhold those taxes so the IRS doesn't come after them
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 03:34 PM
Thursday

later on. Now if your a billionaire forgetaboutit..........

Karasu

(2,030 posts)
7. Republicans have decided they hate immigrants more than they love taking their money.
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:57 PM
Wednesday

So much for “fiscal responsibility.” LOL

Bengus81

(10,249 posts)
16. Huh?? Wait...those illegals never pay taxes right? Just ask jackass Republicans
Thu Apr 16, 2026, 03:32 PM
Thursday

and they'll tell you so along with their MAGOT base. They're about to find out.......

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Drop in immigrant tax fil...