HILL TAX BRIEF: Key Republican Probes IRS Data Security Efforts

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) is seeking more information from the IRS about its efforts to safeguard taxpayer data, after a former agency contractor pleaded guilty last year to leaking wealthy Americans’ tax information to the media.

The IRS in a management quarterly update in October outlined steps it has taken to enhance data security, including that the agency has reduced the number of employees and contractors with access to sensitive information. Smith asked for more details about the agency’s work.

“I am pleased that the IRS is taking some action to address vulnerabilities in its ...