Tax Information Safeguard Activity Annual Report
GGD-84-83: Published: Jun 11, 1984. Publicly Released: Jun 11, 1984.
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GAO reported on the safeguarding of tax returns and return information during the period from January 1, 1982, through December 31, 1983.
GAO has been reviewing its procedures in light of changes to access authority included in the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982. After completing the procedural review, GAO will discuss any possible revisions with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). During continuous monitoring at headquarters and periodic visits to the regional staffs, GAO detected no systemic tax information safeguard problems or staff deviations from prescribed procedures. In general, secure office space and containers for storage are provided by IRS and, when the information is at GAO offices, the information is secured consistent with IRS procedures. Only authorized personnel are given access to the storage areas. GAO procedures are sufficiently detailed to ensure that only authorized persons gain access to the information. Primary responsibility for facility security resides with IRS; however, GAO security is sufficient to prevent unauthorized access to areas where tax information is stored. In addition, procedures prevent the commingling of tax and nontax records. Further, GAO has no safeguard problems attributable to after-hours security and employees are sufficiently informed about the need for security of tax information. Most GAO computer processing relies almost completely on IRS computer systems, however; when other systems are used, the information is controlled according to IRS standards. Finally, the review showed no unauthorized disposal or indications that disposal procedures should be changed.
Jan 14, 2021
Tax Administration:
Better Coordination Could Improve IRS's Use of Third-Party Information Reporting to Help Reduce the Tax GapGAO-21-102: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021.
Nov 18, 2020
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IRS Reorganization:
Planning Addressed Key Reform Practices, but Goals and Measures for the Plan Have Not Been FinalizedGAO-21-18: Published: Oct 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 18, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
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Opportunity Zones:
Improved Oversight Needed to Evaluate Tax Expenditure PerformanceGAO-21-30: Published: Oct 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 19, 2020
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Tax Administration:
Opportunities Exist to Improve Oversight of Hospitals' Tax-Exempt StatusGAO-20-679: Published: Sep 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 19, 2020.
Sep 23, 2020
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Taxpayer Service:
IRS Could Improve the Taxpayer Experience by Using Better Service Performance MeasuresGAO-20-656: Published: Sep 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2020.
Aug 31, 2020
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Abusive Tax Schemes:
Offshore Insurance Products and Associated Compliance RisksGAO-20-589: Published: Jul 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 31, 2020.
Jun 29, 2020
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Taxpayer Compliance:
More Income Reporting Needed for Taxpayers Working through Online PlatformsGAO-20-366: Published: May 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 29, 2020.
Jun 16, 2020
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Tax Exempt Organizations:
IRS Increasingly Uses Data in Examination Selection, but Could Further Improve Selection ProcessesGAO-20-454: Published: Jun 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 16, 2020.
May 1, 2020
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Management Report:
Improvements Are Needed to Enhance the Internal Revenue Service's Internal Control over Financial ReportingGAO-20-480R: Published: May 1, 2020. Publicly Released: May 1, 2020.
Apr 30, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Internal Revenue ServiceGAO-20-548PR: Published: Apr 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 2020.
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