The IRS said it sent notices and conducted briefings on the roles and responsibilities of security guards. Image: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffIn unannounced site visits by inspector general employees to test security at IRS taxpayer assistance centers, security guards did not perform the required security screening of visitors in nine of 85 cases, a report has said.
“In response to our identification of the lack of security screening at some TACs, we initiated a separate evaluation focusing solely on the security of the TACs,” said the IG in the latest of a series of reports focusing on the safety of IRS facilities and employees.
The report added that “Once it has been determined that the visitor is not in possession of prohibited items or dangerous weapons, the security guards should allow the person to enter the TAC.” While guards may ask if a visitor has an appointment, they may not refuse access simply because the visitor does not have one, it said.
However, in 14 cases, “the security guard refused to allow our evaluators access to the TAC. In fact, the security guards prohibited the evaluators from speaking with TAC personnel, and in one specific encounter, the security guard escorted the evaluator to the front door.”
Further, in five cases guards improperly provided agency-related information such as whether payments were accepted without an appointment, if the location assisted taxpayers with tax returns, and information regarding interpreter services and obtaining IRS forms.
It said that in response, the IRS sent notices and conducted briefings on the roles and responsibilities of security guards. “Additionally, security guard performance issues were communicated to the Federal Protective Service and corrective action was requested,” it said.
Senate Eyes Vote to Pay Federal Employees Working Unpaid
Series of Bills Offered to Address Shutdown’s Impact on Employees
Public Starting to Feel Impact of Shutdown, Survey Shows
OPM Details Coverage Changes, Plan Dropouts for FEHB/PSHB in 2026
Does My FEHB/PSHB Plan Stack Up? Here’s How to Tell
2025 TSP Rollercoaster and the G Fund Merry-go-Round
See also,
TSP Takes Step toward Upcoming In-Plan Roth Conversions
5 Steps to Protect Your Federal Job During the Shutdown
Over 30K TSP Accounts Have Crossed the Million Mark in 2025
