Project Summary

The Census Bureau maintains a vast body of linkable data files covering the American population from 1940 forward, including census data, survey data, and administrative records. This project will extend that infrastructure by documenting, harmonizing, and increasing the accessibility of complete "universe" datasets of Form 1040 tax filers from 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, and 1994. These files contain a broad range of variables detailing income, family status, and place of residence, for hundreds of millions of tax filers each year. Unlike digitized Census records from this period, the Internal Revenue Service data have individual names, addresses, and Social Security Numbers and thus will be easily linkable over time. This project will ensure the documentation and retention of these data, and will prepare them for incorporation into a linked data infrastructure that will support social research and evidence-based policymaking.