The Internal Revenue Service is preparing to provide team members working with Elon Musk's so-called government efficiency department access to sensitive taxpayer data, those familiar with the issue said. .
The IRS system includes private financial data relating to millions of Americans, including tax returns, Social Security numbers, addresses, bank details, and employment information.
“Wash, fraud and abuse have long been deeply entrenched in broken systems,” said White House spokesman Harrison Fields. “To identify and fix it, you can access the system directly.”
Fields added: “Doges will continue to shed light on the scams they are revealing because Americans deserve to know what their government has spent their hard-earned taxes.”
The IRS system's investigation represents the latest moves by members of Musk's team, pushing the boundaries of access to government data beyond what is typical for political appointees. The Treasury is facing questions after Musk, who was assigned to the agency, began scrutiny of the Department of Finance Services, and directed payments to the entire federal government.
Gavin Kliger, a young software engineer who was taken to the Human Resources Bureau as part of Doge's efforts, worked at the IRS headquarters on Thursday. He will be assigned to the IRS as a senior advisor to the proxy committee. The tax agency is still formulating the exact terms of his work in the IRS, but it is expected that he will have wide access to the system.
On Sunday evening, he still had no access to sensitive IRS data, the two said.
The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the IRS is considering a memorandum of understanding that provides Doge staff with broad access to its system, including an integrated data search system that includes taxpayer accounts.
Musk's team's attempts to gain access to departmental data from the Treasury face legal challenges, and efforts to scrutinize the IRS system could encounter similar fates.
This month, 19 state attorney generals led by New York Leticia James blocks Trump's administration's policy of allowing political appointees and “special government officials” to access the Treasury payment system this month I sued for it. On Friday, the judge said it would extend a court order blocking access and would soon decide whether to maintain restrictions until a final verdict is made.
The IRS is preparing to fire thousands of employees this week as part of the administration's initiative to cut costs across the federal government.
The Biden administration has been in the process of overhauling billions of dollars in its system, but Republicans are working to withdraw much of the agency's funds.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent said last week that he wanted to upgrade the IRS' outdated technology.
“I have three goals: collection, privacy and customer service,” Bescent told Fox Business last week. “And I don't think there's anyone in the country who thinks the IRS has achieved that potential with one of these three.”
President Trump has long been an IRS critic and often complains of being overly offensive in his financial audits.
In a fundraising email on Saturday, Trump asked the winners if Musk's team should be allowed to audit tax agencies.
“Are you tired of being targeted and harassed by the IRS?” asked Trump. “Well, maybe it's time for someone to audit them for the changes!”
