IG: IRS e-File system needs work

According to the report, the program rejected 23 percent of the individual tax returns that were filed during its first three weeks of operation. A subsequent review by the inspector general found that the testing process for the system was not followed, despite assurances from the IRS that it was thoroughly checked. 

“The System Integration Test Results indicated all application requirements were tested and passed. However, supporting test documents showed that many of the requirements were not tested and many more failed the tests and no indication was provided to show the defects were corrected,” the report said.

The inspector general also found that security controls on the system are not adequate. The IRS had provided the inspector general with information showing that 10 of 13 known security vulnerabilities had been addressed. However, a January evaluation found that only two of those vulnerabilities had actually been resolved, the report said.