Cybersecurity
IRS systems still vulnerable to cyber criminals
Government auditors told Congress that the IRS systems continue to show significant information security weaknesses.
Digital Government
The taxman’s tech troubles
The agency spends $2.5 billion annually on IT across more than 20 major systems, yet it still relies on a central data processing setup that went online in the 1960s to keep its revenue-collecting cogs turning.
Modernization
Funding bought taxpayers better service
After a previous year of hang-ups and frustration, taxpayers are getting better treatment from the IRS in 2016 as auditors man the customer service phone lines.
Cybersecurity
House speaker criticizes IRS cybersecurity
A blog post from Paul Ryan's office blasts the IRS for not fixing its cybersecurity vulnerabilities before tax season.
Cybersecurity
Weak controls leave taxpayer data vulnerable
From patching to passwords, the Government Accountability Office is troubled by persistent shortcomings with the data security posture at IRS.
Cybersecurity
Fraudsters' targets show cybersecurity success, says IRS commissioner
The breaches of IRS security tools are, in some ways, good signs, said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, because they demonstrate that the tools are making hackers' lives harder.
Digital Government
A tax info redesign by the users, for the users
The IRS is aiming to crowdsource a revamp of its online tax information with a focus on user-centered design.
Digital Government
IRS security tool goes down over security concerns
The IP PIN program was taken down, possibly over concerns similar to those that gutted the "Get Transcript" app last year.
Cybersecurity
IG: 700,000 taxpayer accounts could be compromised
The 2015 breach of the IRS' Get Transcript tool swept up far more taxpayer accounts than the IRS initially thought, an IG investigation has revealed.
Cybersecurity
IRS Phishing Scams Up 400 Percent, Agency Warns
As of mid-February, the IRS has already experienced 1,389 incidents.
Digital Government
IRS moves on digitizing records
IRS officials defended the agency's timeline for archiving internal records in a searchable, centralized database.
Digital Government
IRS fighting for 2010 funding in 2017
The tax agency has struggled with scandals and legacy tech, and blamed data leaks and abysmal customer service on funding cuts, but Republicans don't seem to think the IRS can fix its problems with money.
Cybersecurity
IRS targeted in bot attack
Using stolen Social Security numbers, hackers attempted to generate hundreds of thousands of e-filing PINs.
Digital Government
Tax systems back up, failure still under investigation
After a reported hardware failure crippled key tax systems, the IRS got the systems back online in a little more than 24 hours.
Modernization
Hardware failure brings down tax systems
On the cusp of tax season, unexplained tech troubles forced the IRS to suspend several key digital operations.
Digital Government
Could an IRS tech push leave taxpayers feeling abandoned?
The IRS has an ambitious plan for customer service, but will taxpayers be able to access live human help?
Digital Government
IRS programming glitch costs millions in errant tax refunds
A code error led to the IRS paying out tens of millions in suspect tax refunds that it meant to peg for further examination.
Cybersecurity
IRS launches online safety campaign
The IRS has launched an educational series aimed at promoting citizen cybersecurity.
Digital Government
GAO sounds alarm bells on IRS financial systems
From basic functions to security protections, IRS' financial systems are subpar and threaten the agency's mission, according to a new audit.
Cybersecurity