Modernization
Officials Work to Create a More Empathetic Government
Recent customer experience policy changes are ushering in more human-centered agency practices.
Modernization
IRS announces new office focusing on taxpayer experience
One of several lines of effort at the IRS to improve customer experience is digital services, which will include efforts ranging from digital signatures to expanded online payment options.
Modernization
IRS will pivot to GSA's Login.gov after this tax season
The tax agency is modifying its use of the ID.me identity proofing service for the current tax season, but plans to switch to the federal government's homegrown solution after the 2022 filing deadline.
Cybersecurity
IRS Suggests Need to Disclose Crypto Exchange Information to Law Enforcement
A letter the tax bureau sent to a key senator says stronger penalties for failure to report cryptocurrency-based income gains might also help deter cyber criminals.
Emerging Tech
Agencies Are Tapping a Facial Recognition Company to Prove You’re You. That Raises Concerns about Privacy, Accuracy and Fairness
Federal and state governments are turning to a facial recognition company to ensure that people accessing services are who they say they are. The move promises to cut down on fraud, but at what cost?
Digital Government
White House elevates CX with executive order
A Biden administration executive order looks to use tech to simplify and reduce friction in citizen interactions with government programs and services.
Cybersecurity
$500 million for TMF, other tech added to Build Back Better
Governmentwide technology modernization appropriations are back in the Biden administration's signature Build Back Better legislation, but the timing of a vote remains unclear.
Cybersecurity
Beware of Emails Promising a Third Stimulus Check, FTC Says
The emails are impersonating the IRS and soliciting personal and financial information.
Acquisition
IRS tech, CISA funding in Build Back Better
An effort to put $3.5 billion into key governmentwide tech modernization accounts appears to have come up short in the Build Back Better bill, but there's still a lot of technology spending on the table.
Digital Government
A 60-year-old IRS IT system won't finish modernizing until 2030
The Internal Revenue Service's plan to modernize its key source for individual tax data has seen multiple cost and schedule changes since it started in 2009.
Artificial Intelligence
IRS Should Prioritize Auditing and Customer Service Modernization, Former Officials Say
Machine learning could be used to better serve taxpayers and help close the tax gap, they said.
People
IRS solidifies relationship with management group
The IRS and the Professional Managers Association have reached a final consultative agreement to keep agency managers in the loop about agency decisions.
Modernization
IRS’ New Digital Case Management System Failed to Meet Early Expectations
The first releases did not include functionality end-users were expecting and failed to meet Section 508 accessibility standards.
Digital Government
After 3 Years, Key IRS Systems Still Aren’t Properly Encrypted
The inspector general attributed the delays in the agency’s data at rest encryption program to additional mandates and poor adherence to program management best practices.
Modernization
Federal CIO tees up 7 new TMF awards
The awards, the first since TMF's $1 billion plus-up in the American Rescue Plan Act, are expected to be made public soon.
Cybersecurity
Audit: IRS Needs to Improve How It Wipes Taxpayer Data from Devices
Computer and laptop hard drives that aren’t properly scrubbed could allow exposure of private taxpayer data.
Emerging Tech
IRS’ Criminal Investigators Want Help Breaking into Physical Crypto Wallets
The agency’s digital forensics unit is looking for a small business to help make routine processes out of some nascent research into related hardware hacking techniques.
Digital Government
House Dems seek $1B for IRS to improve access to child tax credit
The IRS had come under criticism for an online tool targeting the neediest recipients of advance child tax credit payments that was not mobile-friendly and lacked non-English language resources.
Modernization
IRS dips into enforcement funds, user fees for IT
"Each year, the IRS must take extraordinary measures to fund IT," IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig explained in an August letter to three senators.
Digital Government