The American system of taxation is based on the premise that all income is taxable (which includes illegally earned income). In many instances, proving that a taxpayer willfully attempted to hide income from the Federal Government is an integral part of proving other criminal activity including fraud, money laundering or Bank Secrecy Act violations. Their methods of proof and investigative activities lead IRS special agents into nearly every legal as well as illegal business in America.

There are strict procedures IRS special agents must follow before an investigation is recommended for prosecution to the Department of Justice. These procedures include approval by several IRS officials to ensure investigations are based on factual evidence that tax fraud or another financial crime has occurred.

Criminal Investigation issues an Annual Business Plan each fiscal year to further set priorities and guidance for field offices. Overall our investigations fall into four interdependent categories: Legal Source Tax Crimes, Illegal Source Financial Crimes,  Narcotics-Related Financial Crimes and Counterterrorism Financing.

• Why is IRS Involved in Electronic Crimes?

• Why is IRS Involved in Financial Crimes?

• Why is IRS Involved in Narcotics-Related Financial Crimes?

Enforcement Statistics

• Current Fiscal Year Statistics

• Three Previous Fiscal Years Statistics

• IRS Data Book, Table 18, Criminal Investigation Program, by Status or Disposition, Fiscal Year 2008
  (NOTE:  Table 18 is on page 44 of the Data Book)

• Criminal Investigation Enforcement Statistics (FY 1999 through FY 2008)

• Criminal Enforcement Statistics
  This page contains all criminal enforcement statistical data, including statistics from Criminal Investigation's Program and Emphasis Areas of Fraud.

United States Code Statutes

United States Code Statutes For Which Criminal Investigation Has Jurisdiction

Internal Revenue Manual

IRM, Part 9, Criminal Investigation

Criminal Investigation (CI)

Tax Fraud Alerts