Tax returns and return information have extensive privacy protection under federal law.[1] The Internal Revenue Code states that all returns are confidential and cannot be disclosed by government officials.
Read MoreFederal agencies frequently deny Freedom of Information Act requests because of various exemptions that protect certain information from disclosure to the public.[1] These exemptions include:
Read MoreGovernment agencies routinely refuse to respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests because of legally sanctioned exemptions to disclosure of records. But sometimes the government goes too far.
Read MoreThe Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives the United States public the right to request access to records from federal agencies.[1] Enacted in 1966, it allows any person, including U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, and organizations, to obtain copies of records created or obtained by a federal agency that are in the agency’s possession or control at the time of the request.
Read MoreA recent Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals case emphasizes that taxpayers do not have an absolute right to access to government records. In practice, not only can the IRS choose which documents to disclose and potentially withhold some unless challenged.
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