Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently discovered $4.7 trillion in U.S. Treasury payments that were difficult to track due to missing account details.
The agency shared that many Treasury payments were made without a Treasury Access Symbol (TAS), which identifies where the money is going. This missing detail made it almost impossible to trace spending.
DOGE stated on X, “In the federal government, the TAS field was optional for about $4.7 trillion in payments and was often left blank.” To fix this, the field is now mandatory, ensuring more transparency.
The agency thanked the U.S. Treasury for its help in identifying the issue. DOGE staffers have gained access to Treasury’s sensitive payment systems, and Musk is now seeking permission to access classified IRS data.
If approved, DOGE could access IRS records, including personal financial details. The request is under review, but many officials have raised concerns about the risks involved.
The IRS database, known as the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS), holds taxpayer records, including Social Security numbers and bank details. Experts warn that allowing DOGE access is “highly unusual” and could lead to misuse of personal data.
Some officials support the move, stating DOGE’s role is to reduce waste and fraud. They assure that proper security measures are in place.
Beyond the IRS request, DOGE has begun changes at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with many probationary employees receiving termination notices.
Additionally, the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) department is working with DOGE to ensure funds are properly spent. A recent review found $1.9 billion in misplaced funds, and an additional $260 million in savings was recovered.
DOGE has also found millions of deceased individuals still eligible for Social Security. Records showed over 20 million people aged 100 or older, including some listed as over 360 years old.
DOGE claims that taxpayers have saved $55 billion since its creation. The agency plans to update these savings figures regularly to ensure full transparency.