This is a really interesting update about IRS CI. The fact that its staffing levels are significantly lower than 2010 is not a surprise. That is a consistent trend throughout the IRS. What is most interesting to me is that there were only 655 people sentenced for tax crimes in 2023. If my math is right, that's 13.1 per state, which is way less than I would have imagined for a country with population of more than 330 million people. Either people are extremely diligent about filing their taxes and paying what they owe, or there's a lot more work there than CI's current staffing levels can support. #IRS #taxcontroversy #FMHlegal
Prager Metis; Partner-in-Charge National Tax Controversy Tax Attorney/CPA - IRS Representation -Providing Peace of Mind
The IRS Criminal Investigation Division issued its 2023 annual report yesterday (also known as Publication 3583). Some important highlights: -With 3,138 staff, CI was still 22% down from 2010 staffing levels -There were 1,508 convictions for 2023, of which about 44% were for Tax Crimes -70% of Direct Investigations are to Tax Investigations with the goal of reducing the $7 trillion anticipated tax gap over the next decade. This 20-page report provides the broad perspective on CI's responsibilities from protecting our seniors from scams to securing the integrity of our financial system to intercepting threats to our national security to name a few. Unfortunately, when you note that there are only 655 sentenced tax criminals in 2023, it is clear we need to bulk up our the resources of CI in order to better protect the integrity of our tax system.
Bob Marsh, CPA
6mo
I believe this 700B so called gap, is more than rich tax cheats. 10's of billions for example is from the tipping at restaurants. Others are from the "cash" non declared money or "working under the table". This generally effects the lower end of the economic wage earners and middle class. This I am afraid will effect the "little guy" trying to support there family. We must be careful who we hurt..because I don't believe the gov't does. That is why I am a proponent for some form, of a flat tax, whereby everyone pays something and eliminate all the tax loopholes. That would eliminate the need for people like me but it would be better our economy, the American people & eliminate many in the bloated bureaucracy that produces hardly any value. Remember gov't produces nothing they only manage what they take from workers, feed themselves & give their supporters the scraps.
ANYONE, please explain to me when I exposed the largest and longest guest tax fraud in the world at UBS in Switzerland (and 120 other Swiss banks) in 2007, why did the DOJ screw up this case royally: did not get all 19,000 names, did not fine UBS to make 300 million taxpayers whole and let the kingpin walk away free but imprisoned the whistleblower - me. What a joke. Recently the bank Pictet was FINALLY fined a pittance 15 YEARS after my historic whistleblowing. Please spare the accolades and press releases. The DOJ is a joke and they are complicit as well as corrupt. You have doubts, go read my factual book: WWW.LUCIFERSBANKER.COM
A typical case will be about two years to investigate plus court proceeding. More than likely these are COVID era investigations now being sentenced. But they still are understaffed. Pareto principle applies also.
International Tax Lawyer / Whistleblower Advocate / Writer
6moIRS CI is doing an impressive job - especially compared to other parts of the IRS. My criticism is that many, if not most, of CI’s victories are against small time fraudsters - not necessarily involving taxes. I would like to see the IRS make a meaningful effort to reduce the $700B “tax gap” (uncollected taxes each year). This will require going after the big guys (major corporations, billionaires..). And it will require using the whistleblower program. The IRS is currently not pursuing either goal. That’s a major failure.