Just one day after Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) introduced legislation (H.R. 796) to repeal IRS's authority to outsource private debt collection (PDC), the IRS began a 30-day independent-party review of its private debt collection program. If the agency decides against renewing contracts with CBE Group and Pioneer Recovery, the two private debt collectors, the PDC program would be terminated by March 6.

We won't be upset if the program receives its walking papers. Not only does the program put sensitive taxpayer data at risk, but as National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson has noted, the program is just plain wasteful.

Since the purpose of the PDC [private debt collection] program was to raise revenue, the fact that it is costing the government $81 million or more each year destroys whatever thin rationale might remain for its existence.