Uncovering and prosecuting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud remains a top federal law enforcement priority midway through 2023. Due to the relatively relaxed rules put in place to facilitate the quick disbursement of loans under the program at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses and individuals were able […]
The Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) streamlined filing compliance procedures provide a way for U.S. taxpayers to mitigate the consequences of failing to disclose their foreign financial assets. Taxpayers who qualify to submit a streamlined filing are not subject to failure-to-file, failure-to-pay or accuracy-related penalties and instead pay a five-percent “miscellaneous […]
While the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division (IRS CI) is responsible for investigating federal tax crimes, it doesn’t focus solely on criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS CI investigates other financial crimes as well, and it routinely works alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the […]
U.S. taxpayers that have failed to meet their filing and payment obligations have various options for resolving these “tax controversies” with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, the specific options that are available in any particular case depend on the circumstances involved. For example, while IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS CI) […]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and its Criminal Investigation Division (IRS CI) are continuing to prioritize the investigation of COVID-19 relief fraud. This includes fraud under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, as well as fraudulent use of the limited-time Employee Retention Credit (ERC). […]
Audits conducted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can have a variety of outcomes. In some cases, they can simply confirm taxpayers’ compliance with the Internal Revenue Code. In others, they can lead to liability for back taxes, interest and penalties; and, in others still, they can trigger criminal tax […]
Business tax fraud costs the federal government hundreds of billions of dollars per year. As a result, combating business tax fraud is a top priority for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To help ensure that businesses pay what they owe, the IRS not only conducts audits and investigations but also […]
Combating tax evasion among high-net-worth and high-income taxpayers is among the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) top law enforcement priorities. The IRS uses a variety of investigative tools and methods to uncover tax evasion, and, in doing so, it often focuses on a number of specific “red flags.” But, while these […]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recently issued multiple notices and proposed regulations focused on combating tax preparer fraud and cracking down on abusive tax schemes facilitated by promoters. IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) has recently issued multiple press releases highlighting its efforts to target tax preparers and promoters as […]
Through its rulemaking authority, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has identified several types of transactions as “listed transactions.” As the IRS explains, a listed transaction is any transaction that is, “the same as, or substantially similar to, one that the IRS has determined to be a tax avoidance transaction and […]