The IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) division has increased its workforce by nearly 11%, the highest level in almost a decade, according to its recent annual report for fiscal year 2024. This increase has raised the division's conviction rate to 90%. The IRS-CI, which focuses on serious tax violations, recorded various achievements, including the first sentencing for certain fraud schemes and a significant financial settlement with Binance for anti-money laundering issues.
The number of IRS-CI special agents now stands at 2,290 after hiring 146 new employees. The total workforce for the division is 3,474, recovering from a drop in staffing numbers seen between 2010 and 2020. IRS-CI Chief Guy Ficco noted that the rise in workforce was driven by the need to address new techniques and technologies used by criminals.
This hiring surge is partly a result of an $80 billion funding increase from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Of that funding, about $46 billion was aimed at enforcement, which has faced criticism from some lawmakers concerned about increased tax audits affecting lower- and middle-income citizens.
In fiscal 2024, the IRS-CI conducted 2,667 criminal investigations, resulting in 1,571 convictions, and uncovered $9. 1 billion in fraud. The division is also expanding internationally, with new posts in the Bahamas and Singapore, and aims to enhance its efforts against financial crimes as it moves forward into 2025.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/irs-expands-its-armed-wing-highest-level-nearly-decade
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