A former contractor for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Charles Edward Littlejohn, has been charged with leaking tax information about thousands of the country's wealthiest people to two different news outlets between 2018 and 2020, according to the Justice Department. Littlejohn, 38, of Washington, DC, is accused of stealing tax return information and providing it to the news outlets, which are believed to be The New York Times and ProPublica. These organizations published numerous articles about the tax information, including former President Donald Trump's tax returns, which revealed that he paid just $750 in federal income tax in the year he entered the White House and no income tax at all in certain years due to significant losses.

The indictment against Littlejohn states that he took tax return information dating back over 15 years while working as a contractor for the IRS. He then allegedly provided this information to the news organizations, who published articles based on the leaked data. The court documents do not name the official whose tax return information was disclosed, but a person familiar with the matter confirmed that it was former President Donald Trump.

Littlejohn has been charged with one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. Both The New York Times and ProPublica have not been accused of any wrongdoing, and ProPublica has stated that it does not know the identity of the source who provided the tax information.

The leak of tax information has sparked calls for reform and an investigation into the unauthorized disclosure, as tax return information is protected by specific legal safeguards. The IRS declined to comment on the case specifically but emphasized that any disclosure of taxpayer information is unacceptable, and the agency has since strengthened its security measures.

The indictment against Littlejohn raises questions about the access contractors have to sensitive taxpayer information and the safeguards in place to protect that data. The government alleges that Littlejohn had access to tax returns "for purposes of tax administration" but does not provide further details on why a contractor would have access to such information.

The IRS has faced criticism in the past for acting with political motivations and being reckless with taxpayer data. A report from the Government Accountability Office highlighted issues with how the IRS handles taxpayer data, including a lack of implementation of recommended safeguards and incomplete training for contractors responsible for handling taxpayer information.

The leaks of tax information have had significant implications, sparking debates about the fairness of the tax system and calls for increased taxes on the wealthiest Americans. Democrats have used the revelations to push for a wealth tax that would prevent billionaires from reducing their tax burdens through creative financial strategies.

The case against Littlejohn highlights the challenges faced by the IRS in protecting taxpayer data and preventing unauthorized disclosures. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen expressed her desire to see results in the investigation, and the Government Accountability Office report emphasized the need for stronger safeguards and training for contractors.

The impact of the leaks and the subsequent investigation will likely have long-term effects on the IRS's handling of taxpayer information and efforts to strengthen security measures. The case also raises questions about the role of contractors in accessing sensitive data and the need for additional safeguards to prevent unauthorized disclosures.