Breaking News
Digital Government
IRS makes Direct File permanent
The tool piloted during the recent tax season helped certain taxpayers file online with the government for free.
People
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel details his hefty tech to-do list
Enabling taxpayers to fully interact with the IRS digitally is a “generational imperative,” the agency head said.
Exclusive
Modernization
IRS is making headway on modernizing 1960s-era tax system, commissioner says
The IRS is currently testing a modernized Individual Master File system in the hopes it can potentially switch to the modern version for the next tax season.
Ideas
New IRS statistics demonstrate Direct File is costly and redundant
COMMENTARY | Rather than spending millions of dollars on an unproven, unnecessary and costly program, the IRS should redirect its resources towards bolstering Free File, a no-cost private alternative.
Digital Government
IRS considers future of Direct File pilot
The agency hasn’t decided if it’ll field the program long term but does say that user feedback of the tool has largely been positive.
Ideas
The case for making Direct File permanent
COMMENTARY | The Direct File pilot was a landmark event for the tax system and a victory for the civic technology movement. Now its time to make the program available to all taxpayers on a permanent basis.
Policy
Bipartisan group looks to push IRS towards simpler math error notices
The IRS MATH Act would require the tax agency to send more specific, straightforward notices when it corrects simple math errors on tax returns.
Artificial Intelligence
IRS commissioner indicates AI will play growing role in future tax collection
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel opined about the agency’s current and future use of AI just days after Tax Day.
Digital Government
100,000 have used IRS Direct File to submit their tax returns
The agency has not yet determined whether the pilot program for the tool will be extended into a permanent offering.
Modernization
IRS has some of the oldest tech in government — it’s trying to change that
Agency leadership views the “historic funding” provided under the Inflation Reduction Act as an opportunity to get out from under the list of needed tech improvements that have long plagued the IRS.
Digital Government
IRS touts launch of Direct File pilot
The pilot, which allows eligible taxpayers to file directly with the IRS for free, marks a new free option from the IRS, which has for decades relied on private companies to field free options for Americans.
Digital Government
IRS Direct File to be fully available March 12
The tool is a new way for eligible taxpayers to file directly with the IRS online for free.
Digital Government
IRS opens up Direct File to the public
Interested taxpayers will have to watch the IRS website to see when the tool is open for new users.
Digital Government
IRS gears up to launch Direct File pilot
The pilot will only be available on a limited basis to certain taxpayers.
Digital Government
IRS launches push to clean up its communications
Simplification of notices sent to taxpayers is one of the tax agency’s lines of work under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Digital Government
IRS has ‘unconscionable delays’ in helping identity theft victims, taxpayer advocate says
The average wait time for taxpayers trying to resolve fraudulent returns, coupled with legitimate filers being mistakenly flagged as fraudulent, has become a top challenge for the IRS, according to a new report.
Digital Government
IRS direct file participants will have to use ID.me for identity verification
The agency still isn't ready to field the government-provided Login.gov for digital access to taxpayer services.
Acquisition
IRS starts the bidding for $1.9B IT services recompete
The tax collection agency is undertaking this recompete amid its broader push to overhaul the entire tech environment, which includes systems first stood up in the 1960s.
Breaking News
People
IRS taps new CIO
The current acting CIO of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Rajiv Uppal, has been selected to take the top tech post post at the IRS — the latest in a series of leadership changes in the CIO shop at the tax agency in recent months.
Digital Government