Availability of Recent Data
IRS/DOJ/OPM Policies Limit Access to Information

Warning: Previously available data are now being withheld.

IRS Administrative Audits: The Internal Revenue Service is withholding geographic information for face-to-face audits of individual returns that they had previously supplied to TRAC routinely. Until IRS changes its policy, we are unable to monitor geographic differences in audit rates. We will continue to make historical data on district variations available. TRAC is currently challenging IRS withholding of available geographic information as unlawful under a previously obtained federal court injunction against the agency.

IRS Criminal Referrals by Lead Charge: The Department of Justice is now withholding information on the lead charge of IRS criminal referrals. This affects FY1999 onward. TRAC is currently in court challenging this withholding as unlawful under the Freedom of Information Act. District-by-district criminal enforcement activities by the IRS, however, are still available.

IRS Criminal Referrals by Program Category: Recently the Department of Justice started withholding data on the program category of IRS criminal referrals, and TRAC has sued the government in federal court for its release. This affects FY 2003 onward. District-by-district criminal enforcment activities by the IRS, however, are still available.

IRS Staffing by Geographic Location: The Office of Personnel Management on behalf of the IRS has begun withholding the post of duty of IRS criminal investigators. This affects FY 2004 (beginning with the first quarter). The status of future information is somewhat uncertain since the agency announced a reexamination of policies with respect to the release of information on federal personnel. TRAC has written expressing its deep concern over OPM's suspension of data releases and seeking details on the review process.