Digital Government
IRS announces the phased end of paper check refunds
The Trump White House set a Sept. 30 deadline for the Treasury Department to stop cutting paper checks, although the IRS said it will still be issuing a “limited number” of checks where there is no alternative option.
People
Treasury, GSA partner to reward feds who ID wasteful contract spending
Parts of the program could eventually expand beyond the Treasury Department.
Digital Government
Social Security signals potential benefit disruptions this fall for those still getting paper checks
Over half a million people still get their Social Security benefits via paper checks. They’ll need a waiver by the end of September to continue to do so, SSA says.
People
Treasury’s acting CIO to depart
The change leaves the Treasury Department’s tech leadership bench practically empty.
Exclusive
People
Treasury eliminates offices and outsources work, with more layoffs coming
Initial cuts were focused on employees who provide U.S. Treasury bond-related retail services to investors.
Cybersecurity
Treasury regulatory office reports ‘major information security incident’
The disclosed breach into the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency comes just months after another incident involving Chinese hacks into Treasury Department offices.
Digital Government
Unions sue Treasury over DOGE access to payment systems
Anonymous plaintiffs also called for a temporary restraining order Tuesday to prevent OPM from using a newly installed email system to mass-message federal employees.
Cybersecurity
US sanctions Chinese firm behind sweeping Salt Typhoon telecom hacks
The Treasury Department also sanctioned an individual involved in recent Chinese hacks into its own systems.
Digital Government
Trump’s Treasury pick pledges to keep IRS Direct File open this tax season
Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, said that he would have to study the long-term future of the tool. Republicans on Capitol Hill, however, have panned Direct File.
Cybersecurity
US sanctions Chinese company that helped facilitate espionage hacks
Integrity Technology Group, known to researchers as Flax Typhoon, contracted with China’s Ministry of State Security to carry out infiltrations into internet of things devices, the FBI previously said.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers request briefing from Treasury secretary on Chinese hack
The compromised third-party offering was a commercial remote services tool not listed in the marketplace for FedRAMP, the government’s cloud security compliance framework.
Cybersecurity
Chinese-sponsored hackers accessed Treasury documents in ‘major incident’
The incident comes in the final days of the Biden presidency and as officials work to root out China-tied hackers from U.S. telecommunications systems.
Digital Government
Republican lawmakers ask Trump to kill IRS Direct File
The new program intended to enable free, online tax filing directly with the government has garnered controversy and praise since its inception.
Digital Government
Cutting red tape is key to financial inclusion, Treasury says
A new Department of Treasury strategy calls on those delivering government programs to make them easier to access.
Cybersecurity
Biden admin issues restrictions on US investments into sensitive tech tied to China
The rule takes effect Jan. 2 and focuses on emerging technologies that may galvanize Chinese military advancements.
Artificial Intelligence
AI tools helped Treasury recover billions in fraud and improper payments
Risk screening, check fraud detection and more have helped the government recover more than $4 billion, Treasury announced.
Cybersecurity
US levies more sanctions on members of global spyware vendor nexus
The measures add to ongoing sanctions intended to curb the deployment of abusive spyware technologies, often financed by private entities.
Modernization
Treasury looks to help the financial sector move to the cloud
Among the potential risks: market concentration among cloud service providers.
Cybersecurity
US sanctions 12 Kaspersky leaders following product ban
The sanctions notably do not target company CEO Eugene Kaspersky.
Digital Government