Feb 18 Watch 7:00 Musk and DOGE face new criticism for seeking access to sensitive IRS data By Geoff Bennett, Shrai Popat Elon Musk’s "Department of Government Efficiency" group is seeking access to data systems within the IRS that house financial information about every taxpayer, business and nonprofit in the country. Geoff Bennett discussed the implications with Natasha Sarin, a professor at… Continue watching
Feb 17 DOGE seeks access to taxpayer data at IRS, AP reports By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press If successful, Musk and his group would have access to millions of tightly controlled files that include taxpayer information, bank records and other sensitive records. Continue reading
Jan 08 IRS improved taxpayer services but slow to resolve identity theft, independent watchdog says By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press An independent watchdog finds the IRS has improved its overall taxpayer service through Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act but is slow to resolve certain identity theft cases. Continue reading
Sep 06 WATCH: IRS has recovered $1.3 billion in unpaid taxes from wealthy tax dodgers, Yellen says By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel traveled to Austin, Texas, to tour an IRS campus and announce the latest milestone in tax collections as Republicans warn of big future budget cuts for the tax agency if they… Continue reading
Feb 21 IRS to pursue business private jet usage in new round of audits on wealthy taxpayers By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press First, there were trackers on Taylor Swift and other celebrities' private jet usage. Now, there will be more scrutiny on executives' personal use of business aircraft who write it off as a tax expense. Continue reading
Feb 06 IRS expects to collect hundreds of billions more in unpaid taxes thanks to new funding By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press The report says tax revenues are expected to increase by as much as $561 billion from 2024 to 2034, which is substantially more than previous estimates. Continue reading
Jan 29 The IRS is launching a direct file pilot program for the 2024 tax season — here is how it will work By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press The Direct File pilot program is set to be rolled out in phases. First, select government employees are being invited to participate. It will expand to certain other taxpayers in February and March. Continue reading
Jan 29 Ex-IRS contractor gets five years in prison for leak of tax return information of Trump, rich people By Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press A former contractor for the Internal Revenue Service who pleaded guilty to leaking tax information to news outlets about former President Donald Trump and thousands of the country's wealthiest people was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday. Continue reading
Jan 10 Despite funding boost, IRS still grapples with backlogs and identity theft, watchdog warns By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press The IRS is experiencing “extraordinary delays” in assisting identity theft victims, taking nearly 19 months to resolve self-reported cases, which the report calls “unconscionable" since a delay in receiving a refund can worsen financial hardships. Continue reading
Nov 07 Treasury Secretary Yellen says Republican-proposed IRS funding cut in exchange for Israel aid is ‘irresponsible’ By Fatima Hussein, Associated Press The IRS commissioner says for the agency to keep building on its customer service and enforcement priorities it needs a reliable funding stream. Continue reading