Digital Government

Tax compliance software fails IRS

IRS can't even catch all of its own potential tax cheats, thanks in part to software that misses some possibly noncompliant filers, audit concludes.

Cybersecurity

Don't blame e-file for identity theft, IRS says

The recent surge in identity theft tax fraud is not linked to the growing popularity of IRS'e-file system, official says.

Digital Government

Identity theft concerning IRS goes through the roof, official reports

Taxpayers learn identity thieves got their tax refund checks only after the IRS tells them.

Digital Government

SSA falls short on death e-record collection, official says

The Social Security Administration is collecting electronic data from only 30 states in its death record database.

Acquisition

IRS postpones 3 percent withholding tax on contractors

The Internal Revenue Service has delayed enforcing a regulation to requiring the government to withhold 3 percent of nearly all of companies’ contract payments.

People

SSA: The check is not in the mail

The Treasury Department and Social Security Administration have begun requiring new applicants for retirement benefits to sign up for electronic payments or debit cards only.

Digital Government

Treasury gets new CIO

The Treasury Department has named its new CIO, who takes over duties from acting CIO Diane Litman and becomes the permanent replacement for Mike Duffy.

Modernization

Government moves toward a paperless world

Agencies can save millions of dollars over the next five years by going paperless.

Cybersecurity

IRS fails to protect taxpayer e-mails

According to a 2010 audit, IRS employees are disregarding the agency's e-mail policy and may be unnecessarily exposing the release of taxpayer data.

Modernization

IRS mobile app gains 245,000 users in two months

The Internal Revenue Service is pleased with the response to its mobile application allowing taxpayers to check their refund status on their smart phones, officials said on March 17.

Modernization

Best government IT programs honored

The American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council honored the most innovative federal IT programs at its annual luncheon.

Digital Government

Former Treasury CIO Duffy joins DRT Strategies

Michael Duffy, most recently senior advisor at the Justice Department and a former CIO at the Treasury Department, has joined DRT Strategies.

Cybersecurity

IRS needs to improve taxpayer information security, GAO says

A GAO audit says the IRS should be better at fully securing taxpayer information.

People

Federal employees would face firings for delinquent taxes

Sens. Tom Coburn and Claire McCaskill have reintroduced a bill that goes after federal employees who are tax deadbeats.

Digital Government

IRS big winner in Treasury budget request

The Treasury Department budget proposal is up to $14 billion with proposed improvements to IRS data collection and taxpayers services and Wall Street reform measures.

Digital Government

The sound of pencils sharpening ...

Well, today we got the first look at a partial list of the $74 billion in non-defense/non-security budget cuts that the new Republican majority aims to propose in the upcoming continuing resolution to fund the government through the end of the 2011 Fiscal Year.

Digital Government

Opie Taylor helps launch Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Actor and director Ron Howard narrates a video introducing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Digital Government

GAO says IRS performance varies on website, other areas

The Government Accountability made recommendations on how to improve the IRS' performance in several areas that include the service's website.

People

Petraeus to start service member office at Treasury

Holly Petraeus has been chosen to establish an Office of Servicemember Affairs at Treasury's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.