IRS Criminal Investigation Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report; Identifies $2.3 Billion In Tax Fraud

The Internal Revenue Service today released the Criminal Investigation Division’s annual report, highlighting the agency’s successes and criminal enforcement actions taken in fiscal year 2020, the majority of which occurred during COVID-19. A key achievement was the identification of over $10 billion in tax fraud and other financial crimes. 

“The special agents and professional staff who make up Criminal Investigation continue to perform at an incredibly high-level year after year,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Even in the face of a global pandemic, the CI workforce initiated nearly 1,600 investigations and identified $2.3 billion in tax fraud schemes. This is no small feat during a challenging year, and their work is critical to protecting taxpayers and the integrity of our tax system.”

Key focuses of CI in fiscal year 2020 included COVID-19 related fraud, cybercrimes, with an emphasis on virtual and cryptocurrencies, traditional tax investigations, international tax enforcement, employment tax, refund fraud and tax-related identity theft.

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The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) issued its annual report for 2019, including recommendations to the IRS on new and continuing issues in tax administration.

The IRSAC is a federal advisory committee that provides an organized public forum for discussion of relevant tax administration issues between IRS officials and representatives of the public. IRSAC members offer constructive observations regarding current or proposed IRS policies, programs and procedures.

The 2019 Public Report includes recommendations on over 20 issues, which cover a broad range of topics and concerns including:

  • Accelerating the use of e-Signatures in Federal Tax Administration
  • Guidance Relating to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
  • Establishing Safe Harbors by Relying on Certain Conclusions of Independent Parties
  • Broadening and Improving a Self-Correction Program for Tax-Exempt Bonds
  • Improving Customer Experience and Service Delivery
  • Form W-4 2020 Version

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