It’s been more than 16 months since ProPublica first published confidential taxpayer information under the Biden Administration, and yet, no one has been held accountable. 

 In a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Ways and Means Republican Leader Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) and committee members Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN) and Jodey Arrington (R-TX) demand an update on the Administration’s investigation into the criminal breach of taxpayer data. 

 The members write:

“It is essential that this matter is not swept under the rug. Congress and the American people deserve to know what happened and who is responsible. If the U.S. government is unable to determine who is responsible, then Congress and the American people deserve to know that as well.”

Read the full letter here.

 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The IRS Commissioner neglected to mention the massive theft in recent testimony: Despite the sensitivity of the investigation into the theft, Commissioner Charles Rettig only addressed congressional concerns upon questioning. Taxpayers received little assurance that their sensitive financial information is being kept safe.
• Investigators still have not requested a copy of the stolen information: Previously both the Treasury and the IRS said that they don’t “know whether there has been a data breach or a threat of a data breach” and that they do not “have any information concerning the sources of the alleged taxpayer information published by ProPublica.” Neither has amended these statements.  
• The American people deserve answers: More than 16 months later, the Biden Administration appears no closer to holding those responsible for leaking confidential, personal tax information accountable.
• Taxpayer privacy is paramount: Democrats supercharged the IRS that will target middle-income earners, instead of getting to the bottom of this criminal breach of taxpayer information.

BACKGROUND:

• On June 8, 2021, ProPublica detailed income tax information to advance Democrats’ efforts to supercharge the IRS and to turn your local bank into a tax auditor.
• On June 9, 2021, Rep. Brady and Sen. Crapo wrote to Commissioner Rettig demanding answers on the breach.
• After a briefing on June 14, 2021 from Commissioner Rettig, Rep. Brady renewed his call for an “…aggressive investigation of this astonishing breach of trust to protect Americans’ personal finances from prying, political eyes.”
• In April 2022, nearly 10 months after the incident, Rep. Brady and Sen. Crapo sent a letter to Secretary Yellen demanding a timeline on the completion of the investigation on the criminal breach of taxpayer data. No timeline has been provided.

READ: Brady: One Year Later, Is the Biden Administration Even Investigating the IRS Leak?

READ: WSJ: IRS Shouldn’t Have a Double Standard in Investigating Taxpayer Privacy