Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to vast amounts of taxpayer data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a move that has raised serious concerns over privacy and legality.
According to sources familiar with the matter, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, DOGE is attempting to gain access to the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System. This system provides real-time access to taxpayer accounts, including sensitive financial records.
Critics argue that granting DOGE access to such data could lead to the misuse of taxpayer information and potential violations of privacy. Advocacy groups warn that the unlawful release of these records could be used to target individuals, raising ethical and legal questions about the extent of DOGE’s authority.
White House and Congressional Response
Harrison Fields, a White House spokesman, defended DOGE’s actions in an emailed statement, stating, “Waste, fraud, and abuse have been deeply entrenched in our broken system for far too long. It takes direct access to the system to identify and fix it.” He added that DOGE’s mission is to expose financial mismanagement, arguing that taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent.
However, Democratic lawmakers have pushed back against DOGE’s attempts to access the IRS system. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to acting IRS Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell on Monday, demanding copies of any documents that would justify DOGE’s request. They also raised concerns that unauthorized personnel meddling with IRS systems during tax season could cause operational breakdowns, potentially delaying tax refunds.
“Any delay in refunds could be financially devastating to millions of Americans who plan their budgets around timely refunds every spring,” the senators warned.
The 2025 tax season officially began on January 27, with the IRS expecting over 140 million tax returns to be filed by the April 15 deadline.
Legal and Workforce Challenges
The controversy over DOGE’s access to taxpayer data comes amid reports that the IRS plans to lay off thousands of probationary workers during the peak of tax season. According to two sources, the layoffs could begin as soon as this week, further straining the agency’s operations.
In addition to congressional opposition, attorneys general from 14 states have filed a lawsuit challenging DOGE’s authority to access Treasury-held government data. Filed in federal court in Washington, the lawsuit argues that Musk’s actions overstep constitutional limits, as only a nominated and Senate-confirmed official can exercise such authority.
Meanwhile, a new social media account on Musk’s platform, X, called “DOGE IRS,” has begun soliciting public input on IRS-related fraud and waste. The account urges users to share any information that could help uncover financial mismanagement within the tax system.
The Washington Post first reported on DOGE’s efforts to access taxpayer data on Sunday.