The passage of the Alternative Minimum Tax relief in December 2007 and the implementation of the economic stimulus program in February 2008 required  "extensive reprogramming" of the IRS's computer system, IRS Board Chairman Paul Cherecwich said.

The oversight board attributed the successful filing season to the IRS's modernized IT systems. The latest release of the Customer Account Data Engine (CADE), which will replace the agency's tape-based master files, was successfully deployed in January 2008. Through April 11, CADE processed nearly 25 million individual tax returns and $37 billion in refunds.

"Most taxpayers could care less about the technical nuts and bolts of returns processing. What they do care about is speed, reliability and accuracy. And CADE is delivering – right into their bank accounts and wallets," said Cherecwich.

The IRS Oversight Board said that CADE's early success provides ample reason for accelerating it and other major information technology programs.

"Although continued oversight is necessary, the CADE delivery demonstrates the IRS's ability to manage the BSM program and deliver timely results," said Cherecwich. "It's now time to let them operate on all cylinders and accelerate the program."