An official website of the U.S. GovImproving the timeliness, completeness, and transparency of IRS responses to Freedom of Information Act requests is necessary to uphold taxpayer rights, administrative accountability, and public trust.
To strengthen FOIA administration and uphold taxpayer rights, TAS recommends that the IRS:
Quarter 1 Updates
TAS is reviewing how to incorporate this initiative into an existing or new Collaborative Team, a Systemic Advocacy Project, or a potential FY 2025 Annual Report to Congress Most Serious Problem. Progress during this period was affected by the lapse in appropriations and related operational impacts, including reduced staffing capacity, reassignment of work and priorities, and a reevaluation of TAS’s approach to managing systemic advocacy objectives and associated initiatives.
Quarter 2 Updates
No substantive progress has been made in Q2. TAS will focus in Q3 on engaging with IRS on improvements for FOIA processing times.
Quarter 1 Updates
TAS is reviewing how to incorporate this initiative into an existing or new Collaborative Team, a Systemic Advocacy Project, or a potential FY 2025 Annual Report to Congress Most Serious Problem. Progress during this period was affected by the lapse in appropriations and related operational impacts, including reduced staffing capacity, reassignment of work and priorities, and a reevaluation of TAS’s approach to managing systemic advocacy objectives and associated initiatives.
Quarter 2 Updates
No substantive progress has been made for Q2. TAS will focus in Q3 on engaging with IRS on improvements for FOIA processing times.
Quarter 1 Updates
TAS is reviewing how to incorporate this initiative into an existing or new Collaborative Team, a Systemic Advocacy Project, or a potential FY 2025 Annual Report to Congress Most Serious Problem. Progress during this period was affected by the lapse in appropriations and related operational impacts, including reduced staffing capacity, reassignment of work and priorities, and a reevaluation of TAS’s approach to managing systemic advocacy objectives and associated initiatives.
Quarter 2 Updates
The IRS is implementing new technology and automation tools intended to improve FOIA document review and redaction processes. These efforts include the use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for case creation and enhanced search and redaction capabilities. The expected implementation date is by the end of FY26.
The IRS also launched a collaboration tool within FOIAXpress that allows employees to share, review, redact, and document withholding determinations within a single platform. According to the IRS, these enhancements are expected to reduce manual processing, improve workflow efficiency, and support more timely delivery of FOIA responses.
TAS will continue to monitor the status of these efforts to meet the intended objectives.
Quarter 1 Updates
TAS is reviewing how to incorporate this initiative into an existing or new Collaborative Team, a Systemic Advocacy Project, or a potential FY 2025 Annual Report to Congress Most Serious Problem. Progress during this period was affected by the lapse in appropriations and related operational impacts, including reduced staffing capacity, reassignment of work and priorities, and a reevaluation of TAS’s approach to managing systemic advocacy objectives and associated initiatives.
Quarter 2 Updates
The IRS maintains FOIA policies, IRM guidance, and proactive disclosure procedures intended to support compliance with FOIA disclosure requirements. The IRS also issues internal guidance reminding employees of their responsibilities related to transparency and disclosure obligations. TAS will continune to monitior and advocate for enhanced employee training and clearer guidance to promote more consistent disclosure practices aligned with FOIA’s intent.
