Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to a vast collection of sensitive taxpayer data at the IRS, according to two individuals familiar with the initiative who were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, The Associated Press reported on Monday.
If successful, Musk and his organisation would gain entry to millions of highly restricted files containing taxpayer details, bank records, and other confidential information. The sources, who requested anonymity, stated that DOGE is specifically targeting access to the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System, which, as per the agency’s website, allows employees “instantaneous visual access to certain taxpayer accounts.”
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Advocates are concerned that any potential unlawful disclosure of taxpayer records could be exploited to target individuals, breach their privacy, and lead to further consequences.
Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, said in an emailed statement that “waste, fraud, and abuse have been deeply entrenched in our broken system for far too long. Direct access to the system is necessary to identify and rectify these issues.”
“DOGE will continue exposing the fraud they uncover because the American people have a right to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent,” he added.
Democratic lawmakers are pushing back against DOGE’s attempts to access IRS data. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., sent a letter on Monday to acting IRS Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell, demanding copies of any memos that would authorise IRS system access for Musk or DOGE. The senators are also requesting explanations for DOGE’s efforts to review tax returns and private banking records.
Beyond concerns over the legality of DOGE’s access to taxpayer data, the letter states, “we are also deeply worried that DOGE personnel interfering with IRS systems during the peak of tax season could, intentionally or not, cause disruptions that may indefinitely delay tax refunds.”
"Any delay in refunds could be financially devastating for millions of Americans who depend on timely refunds each spring to manage their budgets.”
The 2025 tax season officially commenced on 27 January, with the IRS expecting over 140 million tax returns to be filed by the 15 April deadline.
The Washington Post was the first to report on DOGE’s plans to access taxpayer data on Sunday.
This development comes as the IRS prepares to lay off thousands of probationary employees during the tax season, according to two sources familiar with the agency’s plans who were not authorised to discuss them publicly. These cuts could begin as early as this week.
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Previously, IRS employees working on the 2025 tax season were informed that they would not be eligible to accept a buyout offer from the Trump administration until after the taxpayer filing deadline, according to a letter recently sent to IRS staff.
Meanwhile, attorneys general from 14 states have filed a lawsuit challenging DOGE’s authority to access sensitive government data stored at the Treasury and exercise “virtually unchecked power.”
Filed in federal court in Washington on Thursday, the lawsuit argues that Musk’s actions in leading DOGE can only be carried out by an official nominated and confirmed by the Senate. It references constitutional provisions that define the powers of Congress and the president.
A new account on Musk’s social media platform X, named DOGE IRS, has posted: “DOGE is seeking help from the public!” The account urges users to share “insights on identifying and addressing waste, fraud, and abuse within the Internal Revenue Service.”