Last mentioned: Mar 23, 2026
GAO Audit Confirmation
Government Accountability Office confirms the increased use of machine learning in audit selection.
Tracking Allegations
Reports emerge of DHS surveillance technology being used to track legal observers in the field.
IRS Data Ruling
Federal judge rules IRS-DHS data sharing was illegal in nearly 43,000 instances.
Columbia University Incident
University officials accuse DHS of misrepresentations during a student detention.
Congressional Inquiry
Lawmakers demand data from tech companies regarding DHS information sharing practices.
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.
The Department of Homeland Security is under fire for allegedly using advanced surveillance technology to monitor legal observers who oversee immigration enforcement and protests. This development follows recent judicial rulings against DHS for illegal data sharing and growing congressional scrutiny of the agency's relationship with tech data brokers.