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The Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Division identified over $10 billion in tax fraud and other financial crimes during fiscal year 2020, according to the recently released annual report.
The report highlighted the agency's successes and criminal enforcement actions taken in fiscal year 2020, the majority of which occurred during COVID-19.
In response to COVID-19 related crimes, CI special agents quickly adapted their investigative techniques to initiate cases into fraudulent claims for Economic Impact Payments, Paycheck Protection Program loans, and refundable payroll tax credits from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the report found.
"Clearly, unscrupulous individuals sought to exploit the economic safeguards put in place to buttress a nation in crisis," said Jim Lee, chief of CI, in a statement. "These individuals and groups were instead met with a cadre of special agents determined to thwart their efforts."
