The Department of Government Efficiency has requested access to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) taxpayer data system. This move could grant access to highly sensitive information, including Social Security Numbers and tax returns, as reported by CNN.
DOGE has launched an IRS-specific account on X, aiming to gather insights on identifying and addressing waste, fraud, and abuse within the agency. Reports indicate that DOGE is likely to gain access to the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS), which contains personally identifiable information on millions of taxpayers, such as bank account numbers, addresses, and tax returns.
Access to the IDRS is highly restricted, with unauthorized access potentially leading to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Concerns have been raised by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden, who have requested the IRS commissioner to disclose the extent of access granted to DOGE team members. They aim to ensure that any attempts by DOGE personnel to access taxpayer records comply with federal privacy laws.
Additionally, the IRS is reportedly planning to lay off thousands of employees ahead of the upcoming tax season, with Tax Day in the U.S. set for April 15th.
For more details, visit the original article here.