Steve Daines (R-MT)
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase criminal and civil penalties for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information, and for other purposes.
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is about making the rules stricter when people or companies illegally share your private tax information. Right now, if someone shares your tax info without permission, the penalties are relatively low. This legislation proposes to raise those fines and prison time significantly to protect everyday taxpayers. It also creates a brand new penalty specifically for IRS contractors who fail to keep your information safe. Lastly, it ensures that you are notified if you are affected by these breaches.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill significantly increases criminal and civil penalties to deter the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive taxpayer information.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Secretary to notify taxpayers as soon as practicable regarding criminal charges of their return information being inspected or disclosed.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The increase in civil damages from $1,000 to $5,000 provides better financial recourse for all taxpayers whose information is disclosed.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Stronger deterrence against leaks: Section 1(a)(1) increases the criminal fines for unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information from $5,000 to $250,000 and the maximum prison time from 5 years to 7 years. This is positive because harsher penalties give officials and individuals a much stronger reason to respect your privacy and keep your personal data secure.
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Holding contractors accountable: Section 1(a)(2) introduces section 7213B, which penalizes IRS contractors who fail to protect the confidentiality of returns by fining them at least $500,000 or 25 percent of their contract amount. This is a good thing for the public because it makes sure outside companies hired by the government face serious consequences if they leak your sensitive tax records.
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Higher civil damages for victims: Section 1(b) raises the minimum civil damages awarded for unauthorized inspection or disclosure from $1,000 to $5,000. This benefits individuals whose privacy was violated by giving them a better chance at meaningful compensation for the breach of their personal information.
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Right to know: Section 1(a)(2)(C)(iii) amends section 7431(e) to require that the Secretary notify taxpayers as soon as practicable if a person is criminally charged with failing to protect the confidentiality of their return information. This is positive because it keeps you informed so you know if your personal data was compromised.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No explicit negative impacts found: Based strictly on the text provided, there are no sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for everyday individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill significantly increases criminal and civil penalties to deter the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive taxpayer information. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to notify taxpayers as soon as practicable regarding criminal charges of their return information being inspected or disclosed.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would high-income households be better off under this? — The increase in civil damages from $1,000 to $5,000 provides better financial recourse for all taxpayers whose information is disclosed. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The increase in civil damages from $1,000 to $5,000 provides better financial recourse for all taxpayers whose information is disclosed. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The increase in civil damages from $1,000 to $5,000 provides better financial recourse for all taxpayers whose information is disclosed.
- 6/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada