VIDEO: Agencies embrace mobile app explosion
The development of mobile applications or apps is expanding within the federal government. The General Services Administration showcased some of the apps coming out of agencies at last week's FOSE Conference in Washington.
IRS technology systems dramatically underfunded, commissioner says
In the IRS, IT has made some progress of late. But much of the agency's core taxpayer data system still relies on systems that were initially engineered in the punch card and magnetic tape era, the agency's commissioner said.
IRS chief warns of congressional inaction on taxes
IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman warned Thursday of a disastrous tax filing season next year if Congress puts off dealing with tax cuts that are set to expire at the end of the year or have already expired.
TIGTA: IRS cyber response center needs some improvements
The cybersecurity response center at the IRS is mostly working, according to a new report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. However, in the report, Treasury Inspector General J. Russell George said that the Computer Security Incident Response Center isn't reporting every computer security incident as it's supposed to.
OFPP readying round 2 of Mythbusters
Acting administrator Lesley Field said this version will focus on trying to dispel myths commonly held by industry. Agencies also posted their vendor communications plans on FedBizOpps.gov as part of the initial Mythbusters campaign.
Legislative changes needed to make bigger dent in improper payments
OMB controller Danny Werfel said the computer matching provisions in the Privacy Act make it harder for agencies to share information that would make stopping or finding waste, fraud and abuse easier. Senate lawmakers agreed they need to update the law to protect information but reduce the complexities.
IRS customer data at risk, GAO reports
The Internal Revenue Service's systems leave taxpayer data at risk according to government auditors.
IG: Missing documents plague IRS process for screening new hires
A new inspector general's report finds missing documentation plagues the Internal Revenue Service's process for pre-screening new hires that are often entrusted with sensitive financial information.
IRS warns of tax season cyber scams
One of the newest threats involves a phishing attack. A phony email that appears to be from IRS tells recipients that they will be fined up to $10,000 for failing to file their tax return on time.
Are you in the Buyout Zone?
The IRS is the latest agency to join the 2012 buyout parade. Employees in other agencies should study it because it may be the model for similar buyouts governmentwide, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
IRS offers targeted buyouts to employees in enforcement divisions
The IRS has offered another, more targeted round of buyouts. The agency, however, plans to grant buyouts and early-outs to a limited number of employees — about 270 out of the 1,600 who are eligible, according to a staff email received by Federal News Radio. An IRS email said the targeted nature of the buyouts is different from previous offers and includes specific areas not covered before. The latest round of early-outs is the third set of offers in as many months.
Agencies could take drastic steps to rehab reputation
Tom Shoop, the editor-in-chief of Government Executive Magazine, joined In Depth with Francis Rose to discuss how efforts to rebrand federal agencies could put them in better graces with the public.
2013 budget ups IRS funding, allows for staff increases
Colleen Kelley, the president of the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents some 84,000 IRS employees, told In Depth with Francis Rose the 2013 budget request would allow IRS staff levels to increase by about 4,000 positions.
GAO: Program for comparing tax information needs better budget practices
Mike Brostek, the director of tax issues at GAO, joined In Depth with Francis Rose to discuss the watchdog agency's recommendations for the IRS program that compares sources of tax information.
Thousands of federal workers owe back taxes
A government report finds that tens of thousands of federal employees — from staffers in Congress to federal agencies and even Obama's executive office — collectively owe the government billions in back taxes.
Report: Citizen satisfaction with federal services slightly up in 2011
Satisfaction went up 2.3 percent in 2011, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index released today by Foresee. The bump comes after a decrease of 4.8 percent between 2009 and 2010.
Mileage reimbursement rates for personal vehicles remains unchanged
Federal employees who use their own vehicles for official business will see no change in their reimbursement rates this year, according to a bulletin from the General Services Administration.
Still time for feds to contribute to Roth IRA for tax benefit
Ed Zurndorfer, a registered employee benefit consultant, joined The Federal Drive with Tom Temin with tips on how to do it.
IRS buyouts — lightning strikes twice
The Internal Revenue Service has decided to offer a limited number of buyouts to many of the same employees who were asked if they would take $25,000 to retire last year. Other agencies are also making plans for limited, quick-decision buyouts.
Report: Shortchanging IRS budget hurts taxpayers
Congress is damaging the Internal Revenue Service by shortchanging its budget, making it harder for the agency to help taxpayers, detect fraud and bolster revenue collection even as budget deficits surge, a government watchdog said Wednesday.




