Natasha Sarin:
So what we’re talking about here is something called the Integrated Data Retrieval System, or IDRS.
And what that data system is, is, for IRS employees, it’s almost like an index of tax histories. It is every single person, every single business in this country, their history with the agency. So think about all the information that must be entailed in IDRS. It is Social Security numbers. It is personal bank account information. It is your tax history, so how much you made and the ways in which you accrued income.
And all of that information is available to the IRS because, for example, if, during filing season, a taxpayer calls and asks the agency a question about a particular balance due or notice they have received, it’s really easy for the IRS’ customer service representative to pull up on the system and understand exactly what they should be telling that taxpayer.
But this data is incredibly safeguarded within the agency. It is only accessible to people who have a specific reason for needing access to it. They’re going to interact with taxpayers and they need to be able to answer their questions.
I worked at the Treasury Department for two years. I worked on issues related to tax credits and tax administration. And I was nowhere near this data system. I have polled former and current Treasury and IRS officials. Political appointees are never near this data. This data is so safeguarded, the IRS commissioner doesn’t have access to it.
So I think it raises a lot of questions about why exactly we’re even entertaining the notion of political actors from DOGE being able to have access to this type of information.
