Modernization
IRS, Education to team up on electronic student aid form
The IRS and Education Department will release a new student aid form in January that is shorter and easier to complete, federal CIO Vivek Kundra says.
Modernization
Record numbers use IRS' e-file in 2009
IRS officials say a record number of people have filed their tax returns electronically this year.
Digital Government
IRS wins some, loses a few in fight against identity theft and data loss
The IRS recorded more than 51,000 cases of taxpayer identity theft in 2008 and paid out $15 million in fraudulent refunds, and a GAO report finds that internal information security weaknesses constitute some of the most significant challenges faced by the agency.
Modernization
IRS fails to plug all security gaps, IG says
The IRS has installed effective security controls on its laptop computers, but still has problems with reporting breaches and in backup data storage, a new report says.
People
IRS braced to lose experienced technical employees — and newer ones, too
The IRS estimates that it would need to recruit one manager a day for the next 10 years to fill the projected shortage.
Modernization
Audit: IRS killed online project just before deployment
The IRS hopes to revive a canceled project to allow taxpayers to view their tax records online, according to an audit.
Modernization
IRS launches YouTube, iTunes sites
The IRS launched a YouTube video site and an iTunes podcast site filled with content that provides taxpayers with information about tax provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Modernization
Debate still rages on federal use of cookies
A plan to allow Web tracking technology on government Web sites draws protests, support.
Cybersecurity
Rising Star Mary Beth Murphy
Murphy managed the transition of the Treasury Department's HSPD-12 initiative to the General Services Administration's USAccess shared services program.
Cybersecurity
Murphy leads Treasury's HSPD-12 charge
Mary Beth Murphy shepherded Treasury's employee ID card effort.
Cybersecurity
IRS slow on security settings, IG says
The tax agency also was late to establish a project management team for FDCC, which did not follow best practices, auditors have said.
Modernization
Auditors: IRS should scan servers weekly
The IRS should scan all servers often to protect against malicious code and software attacks, IG recommends.
Acquisition
IG: IRS awards risky contracts
The Internal Revenue Service tends to award cost-reimbursement contracts although some of the work is for routine maintenance, a report says.
Modernization
IRS drops private tax collectors
The tax agency found that federal employees were more cost effective than the debt contractors.
Modernization
IRS expands electronic tax-filing program
Taxpayers with incomes that exceed $56,000 get access to a version of the IRS’ Free File program.
Digital Government
Auditors: IRS slow to fix security weaknesses
TIGTA and GAO report that the tax agency continues to put confidentiality and access to an increasing volume of taxpayer data at risk.
Digital Government
Auditor IRS must review network audit logs
The agency should also establish and regularly test security configurations on firewalls and routers to block unauthorized network traffic, TIGTA said.
Digital Government
IRS to review modernization program
The Internal Revenue Service might consider slowing future releases of its modernized database even as the system is making significant progress on the number of tax returns and refunds it processes.
Digital Government