Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) called revelations that the IRS failed to conduct background checks on contractors who handled sensitive taxpayer information “inexcusable” on Thursday.
A report from the Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General found that the IRS put more than a million taxpayers at risk of fraud and identity theft by providing their information to unvetted contractors, Associated Press reports.
“Americans deserve to have their personal information treated securely and with discretion, and the IRS should follow the policies that are there to protect tax payers from fraud and identity theft,” Black, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said. “The pattern of inexcusable behavior at the IRS is unacceptable and why we need to press for reform of this agency, especially in light of their new responsibilities overseeing Americans’ health care decisions.”
IRS policy requires that background checks be conducted on contractors who have access to confidential taxpayer information. However, the policy wasn’t always followed, and approximately 10,000 private contractors had access to sensitive information without the required background checks, Associated Press reports.
“I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to conduct necessary oversight of the IRS and to hold them accountable to the American people for their actions,” Black said.