Cybersecurity
Don't blame e-file for identity theft, IRS says
The recent surge in identity theft tax fraud is not linked to the growing popularity of IRS'e-file system, official says.
Digital Government
Identity theft concerning IRS goes through the roof, official reports
Taxpayers learn identity thieves got their tax refund checks only after the IRS tells them.
Acquisition
IRS postpones 3 percent withholding tax on contractors
The Internal Revenue Service has delayed enforcing a regulation to requiring the government to withhold 3 percent of nearly all of companies’ contract payments.
Cybersecurity
IRS fails to protect taxpayer e-mails
According to a 2010 audit, IRS employees are disregarding the agency's e-mail policy and may be unnecessarily exposing the release of taxpayer data.
Modernization
IRS mobile app gains 245,000 users in two months
The Internal Revenue Service is pleased with the response to its mobile application allowing taxpayers to check their refund status on their smart phones, officials said on March 17.
Cybersecurity
IRS needs to improve taxpayer information security, GAO says
A GAO audit says the IRS should be better at fully securing taxpayer information.
People
Federal employees would face firings for delinquent taxes
Sens. Tom Coburn and Claire McCaskill have reintroduced a bill that goes after federal employees who are tax deadbeats.
Digital Government
IRS big winner in Treasury budget request
The Treasury Department budget proposal is up to $14 billion with proposed improvements to IRS data collection and taxpayers services and Wall Street reform measures.
Digital Government
GAO says IRS performance varies on website, other areas
The Government Accountability made recommendations on how to improve the IRS' performance in several areas that include the service's website.
Digital Government
Misuse of tax ID numbers costs at least $380M, IG says
An inspector general report said the IRS needs to improve its oversight of tax benefits for people who use Taxpayer Identification Numbers multiple times.
Acquisition
IRS to manage Treasury procurements
The Treasury Department and the IRS have signed a memorandum of understanding to begin shifting procurement to the IRS.
Modernization
Electronic tax-filing system gets few takers
The IRS had expected millions of taxpayers to file online using its new system this year, but fewer than 1 million did, according to a new audit.
Cybersecurity
IRS deficient in tracking contractor employees, IG concludes
The Internal Revenue Service's processes for checking contractors are defective in identifying all the contractors who work with taxpayer data and are subject to required security reviews, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Digital Government
For privacy protection, survey says this agency delivers
Research from Ponemon Institute released today suggests that people have less confidence in the federal government's privacy commitments than they did a year ago.
Modernization
Cooler data centers could save millions for IRS
Federal auditors today said the IRS could save $3 million over four years by improving energy efficiency at two data centers, but the service disagreed with that estimate.
Cybersecurity
Union: Contractors weaken Federal Protective Service, placing feds at risk
The National Treasury Employees Union has complained to Congress that Federal Protective Service relies far too much on private contractors armed with too little training, too little funding, and too little proper management to protect federal buildings.
People
Bill would vaccinate Tricare against reform complications
A Senate bill, introduced the day before President Obama signed the health care reform law, would change the IRS code on behalf of those in military health plans.
Digital Government