Conclusions

USDA has made progress and has partially met initial E-File Act deadlines  for providing agricultural producers with access to forms via the Internet  and submitting required reports on initial e-file activities and plans to  Congress. However, implementing full e-filing capabilities for all its farm  service customers by the deadlines set by the act poses a far more complex  and difficult challenge. A component critical to the success of any such  initiative is the necessary authority and responsibility to manage it across  different departmental entities, yet no single official has been so  designated. Also, a comprehensive implementation plan—one that  addresses both GPEA, the Freedom to E-File Act requirements, and OMB’s  implementation guidelines—is critical to help the department achieve a  more consistent approach in its entire e-government transformation. Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998 (GPEA, P.L.
What GAO Found

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made progress in implementing the Freedom to E-File Act and has partially met the act's initial deadlines for providing agricultural producers with access to forms via the Internet and submitting required reports on initial e-file activities and plans to Congress. However, implementing full e-filing capabilities for all its farm service customers by the deadlines set by the act poses a far more complex and difficult challenge. Critical to the success of any such initiative is the necessary authority and responsibility to manage it across different departmental entities. Yet no single official has been so designated. Also, a comprehensive implementation plan--one that addresses both the Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA), the Freedom to E-File Act requirements, and Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) implementation guidelines--is critical to help USDA achieve a more consistent approach in its entire e-government transformation.