Bill Overview
Title: Ban IRS Biometrics Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury from requiring taxpayers to provide biometric information as a condition of filing any tax return, receiving any service, or accessing taxpayer information. The bill defines biometric information as any information regarding any measurable physical characteristic or personal behavioral trait used to recognize the identity, or verify the claimed identity or location, of an individual, including facial images, fingerprints, and iris scans. Treasury must also develop a plan for the safe and secure destruction and disposal of any biometric information collected or used prior to the enactment of this bill.
Sponsors: Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-2]
Target Audience
Population: People who file taxes in the United States
Estimated Size: 290000000
- The bill affects all individuals who file taxes in the United States, including citizens and non-citizens who have tax obligations.
- Any taxpayer seeking services or accessing their tax information through the IRS would be impacted by this legislation.
- The prohibition of biometric data collection impacts those with concerns over privacy and data security.
- Since biometric data is not required by the IRS under this bill, the companies and technologies involved in biometric data collection might also be indirectly affected, as this could impact their business with IRS.
Reasoning
- The Ban IRS Biometrics Act has a broad but varied impact on the population, with different stakeholders reacting differently to the change. Because biometric information collection by the IRS was not pervasive prior to this act, many taxpayers might not perceive immediate changes in their interactions with the IRS.
- Those concerned with privacy and data security are likely to experience an improvement in wellbeing due to reduced concerns over government data collection practices.
- Conversely, individuals who found biometric security methods convenient or secure might feel a negative impact, although likely minimal given alternative authentication methods remain.
- Businesses in the biometric data collection industry might face decreased demand from government contracts, indicating a ripple effect in that sector.
- The first-year budget of $20 million is feasibly allocated for developing and communicating the destruction plan of collected biometric data and updating the IRS systems and processes.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a step in the right direction for protecting personal data.
- I believe in using technology but also in safeguarding privacy.
- Knowing the IRS cannot require my biometrics gives me peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Financial Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I trust biometric data systems and find them convenient.
- This policy seems to complicate processes without safer alternatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 59 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good not to be forced to give biometric data to the government.
- I worry about my personal data being stored or hacked.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Data Scientist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is essential for protecting citizen identity and preventing misuse.
- Trust in government systems increases with policies like this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Farmer (Rural Iowa)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't use internet much for taxes, so this doesn't affect me directly.
- Seems like a good move for privacy, but I wouldn't have noticed otherwise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
IT Consultant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about how they plan to replace biometric security.
- The IRS needs to ensure alternate methods are equally safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Boston, MA)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm relieved that biometric data isn't being collected.
- Data security breaches worry me greatly at my age.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Influencer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think biometric technology is the future, but security is priority.
- It's good to ensure it's optional and not mandatory.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm mostly worried about privacy and identity theft.
- This policy reassures me about data security with the IRS.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned this policy might hinder innovation in security technologies.
- However, I see the necessity for individual privacy rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Challenges in ensuring non-biometric alternatives are as secure and efficient as biometric options.
- The requirement for a smooth transition away from any biometric technologies currently in place or being tested.
- Ensuring taxpayer understanding and compliance with new processes regarding tax services and access without biometric requirements.
- Costs might increase if external consultation is needed for technology updates and compliance adjustments.