Last mentioned: Mar 23, 2026
GAO Audit Confirmation
Government Accountability Office confirms the increased use of machine learning in audit selection.
Congressional Reaction
Public Disclosure
Reports emerge detailing 'God-level' access and the staffer's expectation of a presidential pardon.
OIG Notification
SSA Office of Inspector General alerts lawmakers to an anonymous whistleblower complaint regarding a DOGE employee.
DIF Scoring Phase
Automated systems assign risk scores to returns based on statistical deviations.
FY 2024 Commencement
IRS begins processing the 266 million returns for the fiscal year.
Processing Phase
IRS processes 266 million individual and business tax returns.
The IRS audited over 500,000 tax returns in fiscal year 2024, utilizing advanced machine learning and the Discriminant Function System (DIF) to target high-risk filings. While the overall audit rate remains low relative to the 266 million returns processed, the agency is increasingly focused on deviations from statistical norms and income-based red flags.
The IRS audited over 505,000 tax returns in fiscal year 2024, utilizing the advanced Discriminant Function System (DIF) and machine learning to identify high-risk filings. This shift toward algorithmic enforcement marks a significant evolution in regulatory oversight, focusing on statistical anomalies and third-party data cross-referencing.
A whistleblower complaint alleges a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer illegally accessed Social Security Administration databases containing records for 500 million individuals. The staffer reportedly intended to share the data with a private employer and claimed to expect a presidential pardon for any illegal actions.