IRS Criminal Investigations

Maintaining public confidence in the fairness of the tax system is vital to effective tax administration. The publicity of criminal tax cases demonstrates IRS's commitment to ensuring that everyone is paying their fair share of taxes.

Tax evasion is a felony punishable by five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. In the last fiscal year, the IRS initiated 206 criminal investigations resulting in 167 recommendations for prosecution and 117 convictions. Of those convicted, 84% received an average of 19 months in prison.