In brief
The IRS Criminal Investigations unit has shifted focus this year to support new mandates from the Trump administration, including immigration enforcement and National Guard support in cities like Washington, D.C. and Memphis. This diversion comes alongside significant staffing cuts, resulting in a 10% reduction in personnel and fewer investigations into tax evasion. The agency's chief emphasized the challenges of adapting to these changes while maintaining its traditional tax enforcement responsibilities.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS Criminal Investigations unit has recently redirected its efforts from tracking down tax evaders to addressing new responsibilities associated with immigration enforcement and assisting National Guard deployments in Democratic-led cities.
Chief Guy Ficco discussed the agency's coping strategies amid a significant decrease in staffing. According to the latest report, the unit’s personnel dwindled from 3,474 in fiscal year 2024 to 3,143, reflecting a 10% decline.
2025 has presented challenges, especially with administration changes impacting our core functions, Ficco noted, emphasizing the resilience of his workforce despite reduced numbers.
The newly redefined scope of work led the agency to send approximately 25 agents to support National Guard operations aimed at addressing crime levels in Washington D.C. and in Memphis.
Furthermore, starting in May, IRS agents have participated in immigration enforcement, with over 250 agents deployed for various duties relating to undocumented individuals, including arrests and deportation orders.
In line with these shifts, investigations into financial crimes have increased, but traditional tax evasion cases dropped sharply from 92 in 2024 to just 34 this year, with the number of prosecutions also significantly decreasing.
While the IRS Criminal Investigations unit faces these challenges, Ficco reassured stakeholders that pending cases could be prosecuted in the near future as the agency navigates its expanded role under the current administration.
