Washington, D.C. – Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has requested access to a highly sensitive Internal Revenue Service (IRS) system that holds the personal tax records of millions of Americans, multiple sources told ABC News. The request has sparked significant alarm among government officials and privacy experts over the potential risks of exposing taxpayer data.
The system in question, the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS), is a crucial IRS tool used by agency employees to review tax information, issue notices, and update taxpayer records. Access to IDRS is tightly controlled, and as of this weekend, Musk’s request had not been granted, according to several sources.
Still, the mere attempt to obtain access has drawn strong reactions from privacy advocates and policymakers. Critics argue that if Musk, the world’s richest man, gains access to IDRS, it could open the door to misuse of taxpayer information.
Musk has been vocal in his criticism of government officials, alleging, without presenting evidence, that some federal employees have amassed suspiciously large fortunes. Speaking from the Oval Office alongside President Donald Trump on February 12, Musk questioned the financial status of certain bureaucrats.
“We do find it rather odd that there are quite a few people in the bureaucracy who have ostensibly a salary of a few hundred thousand dollars, but somehow managed to accrue tens of millions of dollars in net worth while they are in that position,” Musk told reporters. “We’re just curious as to where it came from.”
His remarks come amid a broader push by DOGE to gain access to federal financial systems. Earlier this month, the agency sought entry into the Treasury Department’s vast federal payment system, responsible for managing trillions of dollars in expenditures. That move prompted a lawsuit from 19 states and was temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
According to sources, a DOGE staffer visited the IRS last Thursday to discuss how the agency collects and manages data. However, it remains unclear if that official directly requested access to IDRS or if the request came through the White House.
The IRS has not publicly commented on the matter, and the White House declined to respond to ABC News’ inquiries. However, the Washington Post reported that the IRS is considering a memorandum of understanding that could grant DOGE officials access to multiple IRS systems, including IDRS.
The potential for DOGE to access taxpayer data without oversight has alarmed privacy advocates. Elizabeth Laird, a former state privacy officer now with the Center for Democracy and Technology, warned that such access raises serious questions about data security.
“People who share their most sensitive information with the federal government do so under the understanding that not only will it be used legally, but also handled securely and in ways that minimize risks like identity theft and personal invasion, which this reporting brings into serious question,” Laird said.
Musk has insisted that DOGE operates transparently, claiming that all of the agency’s activities are posted publicly. However, the DOGE website currently only lists a selection of canceled government contracts and a vague message on its “savings” page stating: “Receipts coming over the weekend!”
IRS policies strictly prohibit unauthorized access to taxpayer information. The agency’s rulebook for IDRS states that users “shall not access the account of any taxpayer or another IRS employee unless there is a business need and access has been formally authorized as part of the user’s official duties.”
Violating these rules carries severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and termination of employment.
For now, a district court judge in Manhattan has blocked DOGE’s access to Treasury Department systems, though a separate ruling has allowed the agency to access data from the Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
As legal challenges unfold, the extent of DOGE’s reach into federal data remains unclear. However, privacy experts warn that granting access to taxpayer information could set a dangerous precedent for government data security.
With mounting concerns from lawmakers and advocacy groups, the battle over DOGE’s access to federal financial data is likely far from over. Whether Musk will succeed in his bid to scrutinize IRS records—and what he intends to do with the information—remains an open question.
For now, Americans and policymakers alike are left wondering: How far will DOGE go in its pursuit of government efficiency, and at what cost to privacy?
This article is based on reporting from ABC News.
