Arizona to Lay Off 200 Revenue Workers

The Arizona Department of Revenue announced Friday it will lay off 200 people next week, in an effort to reduce its budget by $9.5 million. Layoffs will take place next Thursday and Friday.

Earlier this month, 53 probationary employees were laid off. About 900 people work for the department today.

The department would not say what positions will be eliminated, saying that is still under discussion.

Any significant reduction of the department’s staff could reduce its ability to audit tax returns for errors and omissions.

The payment of refunds also could be delayed as a smaller staff struggles to process returns.