Auditors found only 13 confirmed instances of misuse of agency purchase cards at the IRS during a recent six-month period, with the total involving only about $600, although terming questionable two additional purchases, of electronic tablets totaling nearly $2,400.
Of the 13 confirmed cases, one involved accidental use of the card for a personal purpose and the rest involved purchasing of supplies for the office outside the allowable uses for the cards.
That was out of a universe of 3,100 cardholders who made 41,300 purchases totaling almost $14.5 million in that period.
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration further highlighted a recommendation from prior reports that agency management has not carried out: creating a policy under which cardholders with evidence of significant personal financial problems that may be indicators of charge card misuse—such as suspended accounts, issuance of insufficient funds checks, and charged-off accounts—would be referred to the HR branch for a reevaluation of background investigations, security clearances and suitability for employment.
It said the IRS has developed a policy framework but has not put it in place due to bargaining obligations.
