Elon Musk shouldn't get the private data of the American people. Nobody voted to give Elon Musk this information.https://t.co/Q6rkkWKtNg
— Randi Weingarten 🇺🇸💪🏿👩🎓🟣 (@rweingarten) February 17, 2025
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is raising concerns among lawmakers as it seeks access to sensitive taxpayer data at the IRS. An IRS employee associated with DOGE has requested access to the Integrated Data Retrieval System, which contains tax information for individuals and businesses. Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren have expressed worries about the safety of taxpayer information and potential delays in refunds.
“President” Musk trying to gain access to taxpayer data isn’t about ‘efficiency’—it’s about control. Billionaires take over the IRS & dodge their tax liabilities while everyday people struggle with high costs. This isn’t reform. It’s a hostile takeover. https://t.co/51UBlvEvQ2
— Rosa DeLauro (@rosadelauro) February 17, 2025
They cited reports that DOGE is pressuring the IRS to agree to a memorandum of understanding that would grant Musk’s software engineers broad access to IRS systems and tax return data. While supporters view DOGE’s efforts as a way to combat federal spending, the group’s actions have sparked lawsuits. Consumer advocates and Democratic lawmakers have raised alarms about DOGE gaining access to the Treasury Department’s database, which stores personal data for most Americans.
IRS data is particularly sensitive, reflecting financial details for millions of Americans and businesses.
Scoop w/ @jacobbogage: DOGE seeks personal taxpayer information at IRS, as Musk team mission reaches tax agency
The Washington Post obtained a document showing DOGE software engineer Gavin Kliger is set to work for IRS for 120 dayshttps://t.co/c4QCyQSJu5
— Jeff Stein (@JStein_WaPo) February 17, 2025
Dogecoin-related IRS data access concerns
The IRS taxpayer privacy law restricts disclosure of information unless authorized by the taxpayer or by law.
Senators Wyden and Warren emphasized that accessing taxpayer data without proper legal clearance could lead to criminal penalties.
To call this an unusual or alarming request is an understatement.
This type of access poses an enormous threat to data privacy, national security, and the stability of our tax system. https://t.co/fXQDDPmy0Z
— Natasha Sarin (@NatashaRSarin) February 17, 2025
The senators also raised concerns about DOGE’s impact on tax refunds this year, as the IRS is processing about 140 million individual tax returns. They warned that any delay in refunds could be financially devastating to millions of Americans who rely on timely refunds.
Meanwhile, the IRS is preparing to fire thousands of probationary workers in the middle of tax season, even as employees were told they would not be able to participate in the administration’s earlier “deferred resignation” offer until after the tax filing deadline. The White House has defended DOGE’s efforts, stating they are necessary to combat waste and fraud in the federal government. However, the situation has sparked fears about privacy and the potential misuse of sensitive taxpayer information.