COEUR d'ALENE - An Internal Revenue Service spokesperson said Wednesday that the Coeur d'Alene IRS office isn't closing because of sequestration, although financial reasons are behind why the doors are shutting permanently.

Bill Brunson, IRS spokesperson in Phoenix, said the IRS "made a business decision to consolidate the Coeur d'Alene office with the Spokane office when the current lease expires" June 30, but "this consolidation has nothing to do with sequestration."

"The office consolidation is a cost saving measure," Brunson emailed The Press. "We evaluate all of our leases as they approach expiration and we will make the best business decision at that time."

The five employees at the Coeur d'Alene office, 1221 Ironwood Drive, will be redeployed to Spokane, Brunson stated. Nobody will lose their job.

The Press inquired about the reasons behind the closure Monday, which were answered Wednesday.

A sign hanging at the local office's door says that it's closing May 24, June 14 and permanently June 30 "due to sequestration." Employees there couldn't speak to the media, and the closure was reported in Tuesday's Press. Sequestration is federal budget cuts that were implemented March 1.

"We regularly evaluate our office space and all leases as they approach expiration. In this case, we will be taking advantage of currently unused space at the Spokane office," Brunson said, adding that the Spokane office, 920 W. Riverside Ave., will be equipped to handle an increased client load from the consolidation.