A watchdog group says two new IRS computer systems that will eventually cost taxpayers almost two-billion are being put into service with known security and privacy problems.

The office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration says in a report released Thursday it is "very troublesome" the IRS "was aware of, and even self-identified, these weaknesses."

The report focused on the Customer Account Data Engine, which will provide the foundation for managing all taxpayer accounts and the Account Management Services system, which is designed to provide faster and improved access by employees to taxpayer account data.

The report recommends the committee in charge of approving implementation of the systems consider all vulnerabilities before final approval. The group says the IRS agrees with their recommendations.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)