IRS Reportedly Set to Grant Elon Musk’s Doge Agency Access to Sensitive Taxpayer Data

Government watchdogs raise concerns over privacy risks and data security / Alex Brandon/AP

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly reviewing a request from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to grant access to classified taxpayer information. This request, if approved, would allow Doge officials to view a vast range of personal financial records through the IRS’s Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS), which contains sensitive details including tax returns and banking information.

White House and IRS Justify Access as an Anti-Fraud Measure

Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, defended the initiative, arguing that addressing waste, fraud, and inefficiencies in federal agencies requires direct system access. According to Fields, Doge’s involvement will improve transparency and ensure that taxpayer dollars are properly utilized. Musk’s program has already been influential in reshaping operations in multiple government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Education. However, Doge’s rapid infiltration into federal institutions has sparked legal battles and opposition from multiple state attorneys general.

Gavin Kliger’s Role in Overhauling IRS Systems

The IRS memorandum obtained by investigative sources reveals that software engineer Gavin Kliger, a 26-year-old member of Musk’s handpicked Doge team, has been assigned to work within IRS headquarters. As a senior adviser to Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell, Kliger’s primary role is to provide engineering support and IT modernization strategies. The IRS has long been burdened with outdated systems—many still operating on coding languages from the 1960s—making modernization efforts a priority for both the Biden and Trump administrations.

Kliger’s temporary placement, expected to last 120 days with an option for renewal, allows him access to a broad array of tax data. However, strict regulations require him to maintain confidentiality and prevent unauthorized distribution of any taxpayer records.

Privacy and Legal Challenges Arise Over Data Security

Despite government assurances, privacy advocates and legal experts have expressed concerns over potential data misuse. Granting a private sector-affiliated team access to classified IRS databases raises questions about conflicts of interest, especially given Musk’s extensive business dealings with government contracts. Previous Doge-led attempts to access Treasury Department payment systems were blocked due to legal challenges from state attorneys general, who argued that such access violated federal privacy laws.

Legal scholars warn that the IRS’s decision to approve Doge’s request could set a precedent for political appointees and special government employees gaining unwarranted access to classified financial records. Opponents argue that such moves could erode public trust in government institutions and compromise taxpayer privacy.

IRS Faces Internal Overhaul Amid Budget Cuts

The IRS’s readiness to collaborate with Doge coincides with a period of significant internal restructuring. Under the previous administration, thousands of new employees were hired to bolster tax enforcement, but current budgetary adjustments have led to planned layoffs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently stated that upgrading the agency’s IT infrastructure is a key objective, with a focus on improving collections, privacy safeguards, and customer service.

While Bessent acknowledges that the IRS has struggled to meet expectations in these areas, Musk’s Doge initiative aims to implement technology-driven reforms to streamline operations. However, critics argue that entrusting such reforms to an external team with no direct accountability to elected officials may pose unforeseen risks.

What Comes Next for IRS and Doge’s Role in Government Efficiency?

The IRS is currently reviewing the legal and security implications of granting Doge access to taxpayer data. The decision will likely impact broader discussions on federal data transparency, privacy protections, and the role of private entities in government oversight. If approved, this move could accelerate IT modernization within the IRS, but it also risks fueling further controversy over the boundaries of government efficiency initiatives.

As watchdog organizations and legal experts monitor developments, the debate over whether the benefits of this partnership outweigh potential privacy risks continues to unfold. With state attorneys general and civil rights groups poised to challenge any overreach, the future of Musk’s Doge program within federal agencies remains uncertain.