WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and his colleagues pressed the Justice Department and FBI for details about any investigation into the disclosure of sensitive taxpayer records to the news media.
 
“The self-reporting nature of our system of taxation makes it vitally important that taxpayers have trust that their personal information will be treated respectfully and confidentially as they comply with our nation’s tax laws,” wrote the Senators. “In return, the government must protect their records to maintain that trust. The Internal Revenue Code places such high importance on taxpayer privacy that criminal and civil penalties are specifically identified for the unauthorized access or disclosure of that information.”
 
The senators sought details on the scope of the unauthorized access of confidential taxpayer information, whether a possible breach originated at the IRS and whether it was the result of an external hack or a deliberate leak from within the agency. Further, the senators inquire about the timing of any possible breach, when the government became aware of it and steps being taken to protect any investigation from political pressure.
 
Read the full letter here.