Emerging Tech

IRS Names Advisors on Possible Government-run Direct Filing System for Taxpayers

The IRS tapped New America to report on the feasibility of a free, public-facing IRS-hosted tax filing infrastructure for ordinary taxpayers.

Emerging Tech

GAO: IRS Not Capturing the True Cost of its Legacy IT Footprint

An oversight report requested by Rep. Gerry Connolly found that the tax agency lacks timelines for decommissioning decades-old legacy systems and isn't tracking how much they are paying for upkeep of out-of-date software.

Ideas

5 Things Holding Innovation Back at the IRS

Believe it or not, the IRS has some budget and the will to modernize in the interest of public service.

People

Biden taps federal management guru to lead IRS

Nominee previously led the tax agency and has ideas on implementing its unprecedented cash infusion.

Digital Government

IRS Seeks New Enterprise File Storage System

As part of the agency’s ongoing modernization efforts, it issued a request for information for a new enterprise file storage system

Modernization

IRS Has the Funding to Hire Tens of Thousands. Can It Actually Do So?

IRS hiring has been thrust into the spotlight, but augmenting the agency's workforce is still far from guaranteed.

Digital Government

IRS Executes Summons for Financial Records of Crypto Transactions

The federal regulatory agency is asking for details from trading platform sFOX on users who engaged in at least $20,000 worth of transactions. 

Digital Government

Lawmakers Push IRS on Backlog and Customer Service Problems

The agency says it's aiming to get to a "healthy" backlog level by the end of the year, but in June, the National Taxpayer Advocate said that would be "difficult" for the agency to do.

Digital Government

House Sends Package that Includes an IRS Hiring Boost and USPS EV Funding to Biden

The measure aimed at lowering health care costs and fueling the fight against climate change received only Democratic support.

Digital Government

Senior GOP Senator Asked Watchdog to Report After ‘Whistleblower’ Action at IRS

The request of the watchdog agency followed the release of confidential information leading to a detailed news report of how the mega rich avoid paying taxes.

Digital Government

Equitable Tax Policy Demands Household Data on Race, Gender

A GAO report outlines the biases potentially lurking in the current tax code, and calls for better interagency data sharing laws.

Digital Government

IRS leader explains why the IRS went to ID.me 

The agency needs to be able to identity proof online users at a certain level to be able to offer a full menu of online services, Rettig told lawmakers.

Modernization

IRS aims to clear backlogged tax returns by end of year

As of March 18, the backlog of unprocessed paper tax returns was at nearly 15 million but IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig told lawmakers that he wants to get that to a “healthy” level. 

Modernization

IRS Digitizing Tax Form 709 With New Tech

The agency is ramping up its modernization efforts, focusing on digitization and automation.

Artificial Intelligence

IRS Awards $70 Million Contract For Digital Modernization

The contract lays a foundation for machine learning and automation within the IRS’s business operations.