Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) most sensitive taxpayer database, a move that has sparked alarm among lawmakers and privacy advocates.
If granted, this access would allow DOGE personnel to retrieve detailed tax records, banking information, and Social Security numbers of millions of Americans, according to reports from The Associated Press and CNN.
White House backs IRS access amid transparency push
The White House has defended DOGE’s efforts, arguing that direct access to IRS systems is necessary to identify and eliminate government waste.
Harrison Fields, White House deputy press secretary, stated that “waste, fraud, and abuse have been deeply entrenched in our broken system for far too long.” According to Fields, DOGE intends to “shine a light” on improper government expenditures.
Gavin Kliger, a DOGE software engineer, is reportedly scheduled to spend 120 days at the IRS, where he will have access to the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS).
This database is one of the most tightly controlled in the U.S. government, containing tax return details, banking records, and other personally identifiable information. The IRS manual states that IDRS access is strictly limited to official use, with severe penalties—including termination or imprisonment—for misuse.
The move has raised concerns about the potential for unauthorized access, with Senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren calling for immediate transparency regarding DOGE’s role within the IRS.
In a letter to the agency, the senators demanded full disclosure on whether DOGE personnel have been granted system access and whether their actions comply with federal privacy laws.
Legal and operational challenges trigger political pushback
Beyond privacy concerns, lawmakers and legal experts question whether DOGE has the authority to obtain IRS access. A lawsuit filed by attorneys general from 14 states argues that Musk’s oversight of taxpayer records may violate constitutional provisions that limit such authority to Senate-confirmed officials.
The legal challenge claims that DOGE’s involvement could amount to an overreach of executive power.
Democratic lawmakers have also warned that DOGE’s interference in the IRS could disrupt tax season operations. The IRS expects over 140 million tax returns to be filed by the April 15 deadline, and any disruption could delay refunds for millions of Americans.
The senators’ letter highlighted that “any delay in refunds could be financially devastating” for those who rely on timely payments.
Adding to the controversy, the IRS is preparing to lay off thousands of probationary workers, potentially impacting its ability to process returns efficiently. Some reports suggest that IRS employees have been restricted from accepting buyout offers until after the tax filing deadline, further complicating workforce stability.
