Data Communications

Thorough Testing and Workload Analyses Needed for IRS Processors Gao ID: IMTEC-87-3BR October 14, 1986

In response to a congressional request, GAO: (1) investigated the performance of the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) existing communications processors; and (2) evaluated the soundness of the planned replacement of those processors.

GAO found that: (1) existing communications processors have experienced reliability and capacity problems, but their performance has had no significant adverse effect on the 1986 tax filing season; (2) a significant delay in the replacement processor installation schedule or an increase in work load will increase the chances that the existing processors will experience reliability and capacity problems; (3) replacement processors are both reliable and capable of handling the current IRS work load, but they may not be able to meet long-term IRS needs; (4) the replacement communications software is not fully developed and original IRS projections of the future work load are outdated; and (5) the IRS plan to install the new system at its larger service centers during the 1987 tax filing season increases the risk of serious disruption of processing tax returns and refunds to taxpayers if problems occur with the new equipment or software. GAO believes that all of the hardware and software should be thoroughly tested prior to nationwide service center installation.

Recommendations

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