Democrats and tax experts have raised concerns about a proposal by Elon Musk’s DOGE team to access an IRS system containing detailed financial information of millions of taxpayers, including their tax returns.
Concerns Raised by Experts
Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, has described this move as a 'five-alarm warning' and criticized it as an 'illegal and blatant power grab.'
The Department of Government Efficiency, associated with DOGE, is reportedly seeking access to the extensive IRS database known as the Integrated Data Retrieval System, as per reports from the Washington Post.
Ensuring Confidentiality
As per sources, only one individual affiliated with DOGE and an IRS employee will be authorized to access this data. It is crucial to note that unauthorized access to this sensitive information is a felony.
DOGE's agreement with the IRS includes strict confidentiality clauses for the person granted access, ensuring the protection of taxpayers' information.
Official Responses
Lily Batchelder, the Treasury Department’s assistant secretary for tax administration, emphasized that political appointees at Treasury or the IRS typically do not have access to such databases.
White House spokesman Harrison Fields defended the initiative, stating that direct access to the system is necessary to identify and rectify instances of waste, fraud, and abuse within the system.
Industry Concerns
Tax professionals are already apprehensive about DOGE's potential involvement with the IRS during the ongoing tax-filing season, especially given recent workforce reductions.
Mark Koziel, head of the American Institute of CPAs, expressed the importance of IRS service levels and modernization efforts, emphasizing the need for a functional agency that taxpayers and preparers can trust.
Stay informed about the evolving situation and the impact it may have on taxpayer privacy and government transparency.