In a major development at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), software company Palantir has joined forces with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to create a comprehensive API system for accessing IRS records.
The project, which kicked off this week in Washington, DC, brings together Palantir representatives and IRS engineers to build what's being called a "mega API" - a single access layer that would sit above all IRS databases.
According to sources familiar with the project, DOGE aims to implement Palantir's Foundry software as the central hub for all IRS systems. This would enable unified access to sensitive taxpayer information including names, addresses, social security numbers, tax returns, and employment data.
The ambitious project is being spearheaded by Sam Corcos, a former SpaceX engineer and current health-tech CEO. As special adviser to the Treasury Secretary, Corcos has already made waves by halting existing modernization projects and cutting approximately $1.5 billion from the modernization budget.
Engineers involved believe they can complete the API project within 30 days. Once implemented, Palantir's Foundry platform would organize the data and create APIs that enable faster connections and machine learning capabilities for querying agency information.
The initiative aligns with President Trump's recent executive order directing government agencies to eliminate "information silos." However, this centralization of sensitive data has raised concerns, prompting the Government Accountability Office to investigate DOGE's handling of sensitive information across multiple federal departments.
The Treasury Department has characterized the project as a strategic effort to "streamline IRS systems" and create "efficient service for the American taxpayer," though they have not explicitly confirmed Palantir's involvement.
This development marks another major government contract for Palantir, which has already established itself as a key player in government technology through its Foundry and Gotham platforms. The company's CEO Alex Karp has expressed support for DOGE's cost-cutting initiatives, stating that what benefits America will benefit both Americans and Palantir.