IRS to Pay $2 Billion for Faulty Computers

And that is YOUR MONEY, taxpayer!!

"IRS computer systems faulted; Security, privacy problems found" by Associated Press | October 17, 2008

WASHINGTON - Two new IRS computer systems that will eventually cost taxpayers almost $2 billion are being put into service despite known security and privacy vulnerabilities, a Treasury watchdog said in a report yesterday.

So much for "protecting us" from "terrorists," huh?

The office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said Internal Revenue Service officials failed to ensure that identified weaknesses had been addressed before putting the new systems into use.

Oh, okay!

The report focused on the Customer Account Data Engine, which will provide the foundation for managing all taxpayer accounts, and the Account Management Services system, which will provide faster and improved access by employees to taxpayer account data.

Both systems are gradually being put into use. CADE, expected to cost more than $1 billion through 2012 to develop and operate, this year processed about 20 percent of the 142 billion returns filed. The Account Management Services system, AMS, still in its initial stages, will cost more than $700 million to develop and maintain through 2024.

Them and their damn databases!!!

The vulnerabilities increased the risks that unscrupulous people could gain access to vast amounts of taxpayer information with little chance of detection and that systems could not be recovered effectively during an emergency. --more--"

So when do they start going through Democrat financial records?