The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has revealed that approximately $4.7 trillion in Treasury Department payments lacked a critical tracking code, making it nearly impossible to trace these transactions.
According to DOGE, the missing element was the Treasury Account Symbol (TAS), a standard identification code that links government payments to specific budget line items. The department announced that moving forward, the use of TAS codes is now mandatory to enhance financial transparency and accountability.
Taking to social media platform X, DOGE stated, “In the Federal Government, the TAS field was optional for ~$4.7 Trillion in payments and was often left blank, making traceability almost impossible.”
Musk hailed the policy shift as a “major improvement in Treasury payment integrity.” He acknowledged the collaborative effort between DOGE, the Treasury Department, and the Federal Reserve in implementing the change. “Great work by all,” Musk wrote on X.
The Treasury Department, which oversees trillions of dollars in government payments annually, was among the first agencies to collaborate with DOGE following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. DOGE staff have been granted access to Treasury’s sensitive payment systems as part of their mission to curb waste, fraud, and abuse.
“This is not just a roaming group… This is a methodical effort that will result in significant savings,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a recent Bloomberg TV interview.
In addition to improving payment tracking, DOGE has proposed eliminating paper checks at Treasury, estimating it could save taxpayers at least $750 million annually. The agency highlighted that Treasury processes over 100 million paper checks yearly, at an estimated cost of $2.40 per check. In fiscal year 2023 alone, approximately $25 billion in tax refunds were delayed or lost due to returned or expired checks.
With DOGE’s continued oversight, the federal government aims to enhance financial efficiency and reduce systemic waste, ensuring taxpayer funds are better accounted for and utilized effectively.
