WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) division has intensified its efforts to combat tax-related crimes, allocating 70% of its resources to tackling offenses like dubious refund schemes, return preparer fraud, and abusive tax strategies. This comes at a critical time as the 2024 Tax Filing Season commences on January 29, with the IRS urging U.S. taxpayers to remain cautious.
Kareem A. Carter, from the IRS-CI Washington, D.C. Field Office, emphasizes the situation's urgency. "Tax crimes surge during filing season because criminals steal unknowing taxpayers' information, hack into CPA firms and tax preparation services, and victimize taxpayers with the false promise of huge tax refunds," he explains. The IRS-CI, dedicated to investigating criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code, aims to foster confidence and compliance in the tax system through rigorous enforcement.
In fiscal year 2023, the IRS-CI initiated 1,409 tax crime investigations, uncovering $5.5 billion in tax fraud. Of these, 655 defendants were sentenced for tax crimes, showcasing the division's unwavering commitment to pursuing tax fraudsters.
The IRS-CI, functioning as the law enforcement arm of the IRS, handles financial crime investigations encompassing tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft, and more. With a nearly 90% federal conviction rate, their special agents are the only federal law enforcement officials authorized to investigate violations of the Internal Revenue Code. The agency operates through 20 field offices in the U.S. and maintains 12 attaché posts abroad.
To safeguard against tax crimes, the IRS-CI advises taxpayers to exercise caution. Key recommendations include avoiding tax preparers who claim unusually large refunds or charge fees based on refund percentages, using reputable tax professionals who provide a copy of the tax return, and never signing a blank tax form. Taxpayers should ensure refunds are deposited into their accounts and not the preparer's. Additionally, protecting personal and financial information is crucial. Taxpayers are advised to avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails or texts claiming to be from the IRS, as these could be fraudulent and contain malware.
In cases of suspected fraud, the IRS-CI encourages reporting through Form 3949-A, Information Referral. The 2024 Tax Filing Season's deadline is April 15 for most of the nation, with an extension to April 17 for taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts. The IRS-CI's enhanced vigilance and public advisories aim to ensure a safer and more secure tax filing season for U.S. taxpayers.
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