Ideas
Why Can't the IRS Just Send Americans a Refund – or a Bill?
At least 30 countries permit return-free filing, including Denmark, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Modernization
IRS Offers First Look at $2.6B Contract Touching All Its IT Systems
The new Enterprise Development, Operations Services contract will include developing new systems and improving the efficiency of existing applications.
People
D.C. extends COVID vaccines to essential feds but worries continue for far-flung federal workforce
Some agencies have been vaccinating their employees directly, but others haven't. The National Treasury Employee Union wants IRS to secure vaccine allotments for in-person workers nationwide.
Digital Government
IRS Appoints Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer
The IRS announced its first senior leadership position under the Taxpayer First Act.
Cybersecurity
IRS IG: No taxpayer data exposed by hack
The IRS inspector general's letter to lawmakers backs up a statement offered by a senior Democratic senator earlier this week.
Modernization
How COVID-19 accelerated IT modernization
As previous IT investments proved their worth in 2020, the pandemic is prompting agencies to accelerate their modernization efforts
Artificial Intelligence
IRS Moves to Speed Up Contracting Through New Procurement Research Partnership
Data-management, machine learning and acquisition expertise will be combined in this collaboration.
People
NTEU looks for a 'fresh start' for federal employees under Biden
The union's blueprint for immediate action joins with NAPA's working group on the federal workforce in calling for the next director of OPM to abandon a regulation-heavy approach.
Acquisition
Virtual industry days are here to stay
Federal agency virtual industry days are probably now a permanent part of the acquisition toolkit, according to practitioners.
Cybersecurity
IRS modernization still lacks funding
The tax agency is pursuing two modernization plans but lacks funds from Congress to fully implement replacement for 60-year-old systems.
Modernization
IRS Leader Defends Agency’s Stimulus Check Performance
Lawmakers questioned whether lagging IT modernization efforts caused delays or missing financial relief payments for some Americans.
Digital Government
3 Ways Agencies Can Improve Customer Experience
One of the most important things agencies can do is build trust.
Modernization
A call for visionary investment
Investing in IT modernization is not an either-or proposition, Rep. Connolly writes. This pandemic has presented Congress a choice: We can put our head in the sand and pretend these failures didn't happen, or we can take action to be prepared for the future.
Emerging Tech
IRS Wants to Be Able to Trace ‘Untraceable’ Digital Currencies
The agency’s criminal investigation group is increasingly encountering anonymous and privacy-focused online payments methods.
People
Senators push to make payroll tax deferral optional for feds, service members
Lawmakers are concerned about potential consequences of a mandatory tax deferral being rolled out by the Trump administration.
Digital Government
IRS Offering Up to $7M to Develop ‘Data Mashing’ Tools In Support of Frictionless Acquisition
Using its experimental multiphase Pilot IRS contract vehicle, the agency issued a quickturn solicitation to improve data collection for a governmentwide effort to improve procurement.
Modernization
IRS Doesn’t Know How Many Legacy Systems It Has or How Much They Cost, IG Says
The tax agency needs to start with a single definition of what constitutes a “legacy system.”
Modernization
IRS legacy system problems could be worse than advertised
A new watchdog report finds additional systems and applications that would be considered legacy under the IT organization's own definition, and hundreds more that might or might not.
Cybersecurity
IRS Granted Tens of Thousands of Devices Network Access Without Proper Authentication
Most devices accessing the Internal Revenue Service’s internal network using wireless connections and virtual private networks weren’t authenticated, according to an audit.
Digital Government