Treasury Department Announces Framework to Promote Fairer, More Equitable Compliance Across Programs and Services

The U.S. Department of the Treasury (USDT) has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing fairness and transparency in its compliance and enforcement practices. The framework, outlined in a memo drawn up by Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo, serves as a guide for Treasury Department bureaus and offices in their interactions with the public. The objective is to improve accountability and promote fairness while preventing fraud and deception.
The newly announced framework establishes four core principles to shape the Treasury Department’s efforts in compliance and enforcement:
1. Facilitate compliance: The department aims to make it easier for individuals and entities to fulfill their legal obligations by enhancing information and service delivery. This reduces errors and avoids unnecessary enforcement actions, thereby enabling resources to be used more effectively.
2. Prioritize enforcement: Considering resource constraints, the department will identify and evaluate risks across programs to strategically focus its enforcement efforts. The goal is to increase compliance, protect program integrity, and ensure eligible individuals receive the intended benefits.
3. Efficient resolution of noncompliance: The department will invest in personnel, technology, and other resources to investigate and resolve cases of noncompliance. This involves using data-centric approaches, automated tools, and technology-driven collaboration to enhance efficiency in compliance testing and data sharing.
4. Promote fairness and accountability: The department emphasizes the importance of fairness, trust, and accountability in program administration and enforcement efforts. It will regularly evaluate compliance strategies, systems, and selection tools to ensure their effectiveness.
In addition to the core principles, the initiative calls on Treasury Department bureaus and offices to review existing policies and procedures related to communication, compliance, and enforcement. They are encouraged to consult with key stakeholders, regularly test compliance and enforcement systems, and report their progress to the Deputy Secretary twice a year.