Cybersecurity
IRS Warns of New Imposter Scam That Spreads Malware
Agency officials recently learned of a phishing campaign in which scammers pose as IRS agents to spread malware and scoop up users’ sensitive information.
Modernization
CBP to Process Billions in Trade Revenue Using IBM Cloud
The “mainframe-as-a-service” model allowed the agency to migrate one of its more resource-intensive processes to the cloud.
Acquisition
IRS tries agile acquisition for data tools
The first in a series of expected technology pilots at the agency will focus on robotic process and intelligent automation tools for contract data.
Digital Government
Watchdog urges IRS to expand e-filing
The inspector general at IRS wants the agency to ditch its error prone and largely manual process for examining amended individual tax returns and allow users to submit their changes through the same streamlined e-filing portal used for original returns.
Emerging Tech
IRS Doesn’t Have An R&D Shop, So It Built A $7M Procurement Vehicle Instead
The Pilot IRS program is about to issue its first solicitation, offering the agency a new way to automate low-level functions while testing a new acquisition method.
Cybersecurity
Another year, another raft of IT security concerns for IRS
A 2018 audit found 14 new deficiencies related to information system security controls for the tax agency.
Cybersecurity
IRS Still Has Dozens of Cyber Fixes to Make From Last Year
Numerous security deficiencies in the agency’s IT ecosystem could leave data on millions of taxpayers at risk, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Modernization
Agencies seek betters ways to track past performance
Federal officials want new methods to get feedback on their vendors into the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System.
Cybersecurity
IRS Urges Tax Pros to Take Cyber Seriously
The agency released a list of basic cybersecurity procedures the entire tax industry should use to stop digital identity theft.
Policy
Trump’s Tax Law Threatened TurboTax’s Profits. So the Company Started Charging the Disabled, the Unemployed and Students.
The move by TurboTax maker Intuit to charge more lower-income customers has helped boost revenue.
Digital Government
President Trump Signs Taxpayer First Act
The law will force the IRS to improve its customer experience while providing tools to move faster in hiring.
People
New law brings big change to IRS in IT, cyber
A new law will implement a raft of technology and cybersecurity reforms at the IRS while also restoring hiring authorities that officials say are key to attracting qualified IT talent.
Policy
Congress Passes Bill That Forces IRS to Revamp Taxpayer Experience
The bill passed the House and Senate earlier this month and would usher in major changes to the way IRS engages with millions of customers.
Digital Government
Your personal data is too public for agencies to verify
The widespread loss and theft of data on Americans has made a once popular form of remote identity proofing obsolete, and agencies need to start looking into other options.
Digital Government
Funding bill boosts IRS tech
The House Appropriations committee voted up a bill that includes funds to modernize IRS systems and security and restore critical hiring and pay authorities last available in 2013.
Digital Government
10 legacy systems in need of modernization
The Government Accountability Office selected 10 systems that have unsupported hardware and software, are using outdated languages or operating with known security vulnerabilities.
Modernization
House Passes Revamped Bipartisan IRS Reform Bill
The Taxpayer First Act would redesign the agency and boost identity theft protection.
Digital Government
OPM-GSA merger scuttled in House approps bill
The Financial Services and General Government appropriation, which includes a pay raise for civilian feds, passed its subcommittee and will be voted on by the full committee.
Cybersecurity
IRS Authority To Regulate Tax Prep Cybersecurity Has Gaps, Watchdog Says
Digital tax fraud schemes are on the rise but the IRS can only do so much to regulate third-party providers without more authority.
Cybersecurity