Improper Payments Information Act of 2002: A Brief Introduction

Publication Date: January 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Banking and finance

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Abstract:

The intent of the Improper Payments Information Act (IPIA) is to improve accountability in administering federal tax dollars and to reduce wasteful spending. IPIA provisions require federal agencies to identify programs that are susceptible to significant improper payments, to estimate the amount of overpayments, and to report annually to Congress on those figures and on the steps being taken to reduce such payments. Oversight hearings on the IPIA have been held in both the House and the Senate, and some Members have expressed concern that implementation guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) inappropriately limits the scope of the legislation. This report will be updated as events warrant.