IRS Privacy Policy
The IRS privacy page was cut down to a short intro plus four empty section headings. Almost all of the detailed policy text is gone from the page, including the promise that the IRS does not sell information collected on the site, the section describing how the IRS uses artificial intelligence with taxpayer data, the website security and monitoring commitments, the full Privacy Act / Paperwork Reduction Act notice listing who tax data can be shared with, and the rules about recording online and in-person meetings. A new label at the top says the page is 'AI-assisted content' verified by the IRS. This looks like it may be a page redesign where the details now sit behind collapsible sections that did not load, but as published the commitments are no longer visible to readers. Your legal protections under the Privacy Act and tax confidentiality law (26 U.S.C. 6103) do not change just because the webpage text was shortened.
The published policy no longer explains how your information is handled
Four sections that should describe the policy, compliance programs, Privacy Act requests, and how to complain are now empty headings. If you want to know how the IRS treats your data, or how to file a privacy complaint, this page no longer tells you. This may be a broken page rather than a deliberate rollback, but right now the information is not there.
“## Privacy complaints”
What you can do — Check the page again in a few days in case the missing sections load. If you need the details now, look up an archived copy of the earlier version or contact the IRS Privacy Office through the Treasury privacy page.
Promise not to sell your information, and the list of who data is shared with, were dropped
The page used to say outright that the IRS does not sell your information, and it listed exactly which agencies and countries your tax data can go to. Both are gone. Your protection under tax confidentiality law hasn't changed, but you can no longer see the commitment or the sharing list on this page.
“We do not sell the information collected at this site or any other information we collect.”
What you can do — Read the Treasury System of Records Notices (SORNs) page for the official list of who your IRS records can be disclosed to.
AI safeguards disclosure removed while the page itself is now AI-generated
The old page promised that AI would not replace human judgment in decisions about your tax rights, that human oversight and appeal rights stayed in place, and that AI could use your data only for allowed purposes. That promise is no longer published. At the same time, the page now carries an 'AI-assisted content' label, so the remaining text was itself drafted with AI.
“AI operates under human oversight that preserves established review and appeal processes that preserve your due process protections.”
What you can do — If an IRS decision affecting you seems automated, ask in writing for human review and use your normal appeal rights — those rights come from law, not from this webpage.
AI-assisted content verified by the IRS
Thank you for visiting the Internal Revenue Service's website, an official United States Government System, and reviewing our privacy policy. Our privacy policy explains how we handle the personally identifiable information (PII) that you provide to us when you visit us online to browse, obtain information, or conduct a transaction. PII includes information that is personal in nature and which might be used to identify you. The IRS uses this website to provide information about IRS services and programs. This website includes specific applications which provide more services or enable us to respond to specific questions from website visitors.
We won't collect personal information about you just because you visit this Internet site. Some applications on this website provide you with the opportunity to order forms, ask questions requiring a response, sign up for electronic newsletters, participate in focus groups and customer surveys, or learn the status of filed returns or anticipated payments. Using these services is voluntary and may require that you provide additional personal information to us. Providing the requested information implies your consent for us to use this data in order to respond to your specific request.
The page still says it won't collect personal information just because you visit, and that giving information for things like ordering forms or checking refund status is voluntary and implies consent to use it for that request.
IRS privacy policy overview
Privacy compliance programs
Privacy Act requests
Privacy complaints
ALSO IN THIS CHANGE, NOT TIED TO ONE PASSAGE
- − REMOVEDMost of the privacy policy text was removed, leaving only headings
The page now has four section headings ('IRS privacy policy overview', 'Privacy compliance programs', 'Privacy Act requests', 'Privacy complaints') with no text under them. Everything that used to explain how the IRS handles your information on this page is gone from view.
We publish specific information on records the IRS may collect in the IRS Privacy Act System of Records Notices
## IRS privacy policy overview
- − REMOVEDThe 'we do not sell your information' promise is no longer on the page
The old page said plainly that the IRS does not sell information collected at the site or any other information it collects. That sentence is gone. Federal law still restricts what the IRS can do with tax data, but the promise is no longer written here.
We do not sell the information collected at this site or any other information we collect.
- − REMOVEDThe section explaining how the IRS uses AI with your data was removed
The old page described using AI for services, compliance, and fraud detection, and promised human oversight, appeal rights, and that AI could only use your information for authorized purposes. That whole explanation is gone.
AI does not replace human judgment in decisions affecting taxpayer rights, benefits, or obligations.
- − REMOVEDSecurity and 'we don't try to identify visitors' language removed
The old page said the IRS monitors network traffic only for security and makes no attempt to identify individual users unless illegal behavior is suspected. That statement no longer appears.
No attempts are made to identify individual users unless illegal behavior is suspected.
- − REMOVEDThe detailed Privacy Act notice, including the list of who your tax data can be shared with, was removed
The old page listed the agencies and situations where tax information may be disclosed — Justice Department, states and cities, Congress, child support agencies, foreign governments under tax treaties, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It also explained penalties for not filing. All of that detail is gone from this page.
Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as stated in Code section 6103.
- − REMOVEDMeeting recording rules removed
The old page explained that IRS staff may record online meetings, that participants would be told, that staying in the meeting counts as consent, and that you can leave to opt out. Those rules are no longer stated here.
By joining and staying in the recorded meeting, you consent to the recording.
- − REMOVEDTaxpayer burden estimates and forms-comment info removed
Tables estimating how many hours and dollars it takes to file a return, and the address for sending comments on forms, were dropped. This is background material, not a privacy right.
Estimated average taxpayer burden (in hours) for individuals by activity
- + ADDEDNew 'AI-assisted content' label at the top of the page
The page now opens with a note saying the content was AI-assisted and verified by the IRS.
**AI-assisted content** verified by the IRS