All Programs

Federal Tax Information (FTI) must NOT be recorded or stored in any place where unauthorized persons may have access to it. The consequence for not following this rule is VERY severe. The IRC (Internal Revenue Code) prescribes a criminal fine of $5000 and/or imprisonment of not more than 5 years for Federal and State employees and other persons who illegally disclose information from Federal tax returns. Upon discovering a possible improper inspection or disclosure of FTI, including breaches and security incidents, by a federal employee, a state employee, or any other person, the individual making the observation or receiving information should immediately notify the supervisor and the Department of Workforce Services Information Security Officer. Special care must be taken to protect FTI from staff who are not authorized to see case files and/or view FTI data. FTI data should never be printed and/or stored. Staff should only access FTI when there is a business need. NO information can be in the case that can be identified as FTI.

NEVER include items in the case record that can form a direct link to FTI. Never refer to the IRS anywhere on the case or in notices. General statements such as "inaccurate income" must be used. The pre-formatted notices to request verification were designed specifically to meet the safeguard rules and may not be altered or added to.

Workers with access to FTI must adhere to all department procedures for safeguarding the information.