IRS Criminal Investigation

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What is IRS Criminal Investigation?

IRS Criminal Investigation refers to the division of the Internal Revenue Service responsible for investigating potential tax crimes, including tax evasion, fraud, and other financial offenses. Specializing in uncovering willful violations of tax law, IRS Criminal Investigation cases often involve unreported income, falsified deductions, or illegal financial activities.

If you're facing an IRS Criminal Investigation, consulting a J. David Tax Law could help protect your rights, develop a strong defense, and guide you through this high stakes process.

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IRS Investigation Defense Services That Deliver Real Results

Our tax attorneys conduct a thorough analysis of your financial records and the Internal Revenue Service’s allegations. We identify specific defenses based on tax code violations or procedural errors, ensuring your case is approached appropriately with maximum chance of success.

We serve as your direct point of contact in all IRS matters, taking over communications, interviews, and document submissions, so you don’t face IRS agents alone or risk self-incrimination.

With a proactive approach, we aim to stop the investigation from progressing into criminal charges by addressing IRS concerns head-on, offering compliance solutions, and mitigating risks before they escalate.

If tax crime charges become inevitable, our attorneys negotiate plea agreements or settlements with the IRS, reducing potential prison time and minimizing financial penalties from criminal violations through structured repayment plans or other relief programs.

J. David Tax Law has represented many clients facing IRS criminal investigations, successfully defending against charges and helping clients avoid severe consequences like asset seizure or imprisonment.

What Triggers an IRS Criminal Investigation?

• Intentional Underreporting of Income: Failing to report significant amounts of income, whether from employment, investments, or business transactions, is one of the most common triggers for IRS criminal investigations.

• Claiming Excessive Deductions or Credits: Fraudulently claiming large deductions, credits, or expenses that don’t align with your financial records can prompt the IRS to take a closer look.

• Failure to File Tax Returns or Pay Taxes Owed: Repeatedly neglecting to file tax returns or refusing to pay substantial taxes owed can lead to criminal charges, especially if the IRS believes these actions were intentional.

• Offshore Account Violations: Failing to report income or assets held in offshore accounts, particularly if they exceed certain thresholds, can result in a criminal investigation for tax evasion or money laundering.

• Tax Preparer Fraud or Conspiracy: Using a tax preparer who engages in illegal practices or conspires with others to hide income or manipulate tax filings may lead to an investigation targeting both the taxpayer and the preparer.

IRS criminal investigation lawyers
Tax fraud attorneys

How to Stop an IRS Criminal Investigation

Stopping an IRS criminal investigation once it has started can be challenging, but with the right legal strategies and quick action, it’s possible to reduce the risk of charges or minimize penalties. Here’s how J. David Tax Law can work toward stopping an IRS criminal investigation:

• Consult a Tax Attorney Immediately: The first step is to seek legal representation from an experienced tax attorney who understands IRS criminal procedures. A tax lawyer can help protect your rights, manage communications with the IRS, and build a defense strategy.

• Cooperate with IRS Requests: While maintaining legal protections, it’s important to cooperate with the IRS by providing accurate documentation and responding to requests in a timely manner. This shows good faith and can prevent the situation from escalating.

• Correct and Amend Tax Filings: If delinquent return or discrepancies are discovered in your filings, amending your returns before the IRS brings formal charges can demonstrate a willingness to comply with the law. This proactive approach can help in negotiations with the IRS.

• Negotiate with the IRS for a Settlement: Often, criminal investigations can be resolved through negotiated settlements. A tax attorney can work to negotiate a plea agreement or settle outstanding issues, potentially reducing charges and avoiding a trial.

• Demonstrate Non-Criminal Intent: A key defense strategy is proving that any mistakes or discrepancies were not intentional. If your lawyer can show that errors were made without criminal intent, it may prevent the IRS from pursuing criminal charges.

4 Easy Steps to Resolve IRS Tax Fraud Issues

Facing IRS tax fraud allegations can be overwhelming and intimidating, but resolving these issues doesn’t have to be a long and complicated process. At J. David Tax Law, we’ve developed a streamlined approach to help our clients navigate and resolve IRS tax fraud issues efficiently. Our team of experienced tax attorneys is here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the best possible outcome.

Free Tax Consultation

This is your chance to ask questions and understand how we can help resolve your IRS tax fraud issues without any upfront commitment.

Case Evaluation

We identify errors or discrepancies that triggered the investigation and pinpoint weaknesses in the IRS’s case.

Defense Strategy and IRS Negotiation

Whether disputing charges or negotiating settlements, we focus on protecting your rights and minimizing penalties or IRS criminal charges.

Tax Resolution

Our goal is to protect your financial future while ensuring the case is closed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Free Tax Consultation

This is your chance to ask questions and understand how we can help resolve your IRS tax fraud issues without any upfront commitment.

Free Tax Relief Consultation
Eligibility for tax debt relief

Case Evaluation

We identify errors or discrepancies that triggered the investigation and pinpoint weaknesses in the IRS’s case.

Defense Strategy and Negotiation

Whether disputing charges or negotiating settlements, we focus on protecting your rights and minimizing penalties or IRS criminal charges.

IRS form submission & debt negotiation
tax debt resolution

Tax Resolution

Our goal is to protect your financial future while ensuring the case is closed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

tax attorneys specializing in tax debt relief

Our legal team prepares and submits the necessary forms and financial disclosures to the IRS, ensuring every detail is presented in a way that maximizes your chances of a favorable settlement.

Why Trust Our Tax Evasion Lawyers for IRS Problems?

When facing an IRS criminal investigation, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a team with a proven track record in successfully defending clients against the IRS. At J. David Tax Law, we’ve represented thousands of clients in complex IRS criminal cases, achieving results that protect both their financial futures and personal freedom. 

Our attorneys are not only experienced in tax law but also in the nuances of IRS criminal procedures, which allows us to craft defense strategies that have kept clients from facing hefty fines, asset seizures, or imprisonment.

Our law firm also doesn’t just handle paperwork—we actively engage in negotiations with the IRS to minimize charges or settle cases outside of court when possible. Our legal team understands how the IRS operates, which means we can anticipate the tactics they’ll use and respond with tailored defense strategies that reduce risk. 

Whether it’s negotiating plea deals, reducing penalties, or resolving issues without trial, J. David Tax Law’s expertise ensures that our clients are given the best chance of avoiding serious consequences.

Most Common IRS Criminal Charges

There are multiple different reasons for the IRS or state tax authorities to pursue taxpayers. Whether it is tax fraud or tax evasion J. David Tax Law can be your legal representation giving you the best chance at a successful outcome.

Tax Fraud

Tax fraud is a serious offense involving intentional actions to deceive the IRS, typically to reduce tax liability. Examples include underreporting income,

claiming false deductions, or creating misleading documents. The IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) team treats tax fraud as a felony, with penalties that can include significant fines and prison time. At J. David Tax Law, our experienced tax fraud attorneys help clients navigate complex investigations, providing strategic defense aimed at reducing or eliminating criminal charges. We work diligently to examine financial records, tax filings, and the government’s evidence, advocating for favorable outcomes based on comprehensive legal insight.

Tax Evasion

Tax evasion occurs when individuals or businesses take deliberate steps to avoid paying the full amount of taxes owed. This includes hiding income, inflating
deductions, or utilizing unreported offshore accounts. Tax evasion is a federal crime that carries severe penalties, including prison sentences of up to five years and steep financial penalties. J. David Tax Law’s attorneys have in-depth experience with tax evasion cases and can help minimize potential criminal liability. Our team meticulously reviews financial details, aiming to resolve matters before charges are filed or, where charges exist, negotiate for reduced sentences and penalties.

Failure to File Taxes

Failing to file federal tax returns, whether personal or corporate, is a violation of IRS regulations that can lead to both civil and criminal penalties.
The IRS CI team considers failure to file a crime if it’s proven to be willful, with potential fines and jail time. J. David Tax Law provides robust defense strategies for clients facing such charges, focusing on presenting mitigating circumstances or showing that any failure to file was not intentional. Our attorneys aim to resolve cases efficiently to protect our clients’ financial and personal well-being, working toward fair solutions and avoiding further penalties.

Failure to Pay Taxes

Failure to pay taxes, even when returns are filed, can trigger penalties and interest on unpaid amounts, as well as IRS investigations.
If proven willful, this failure can lead to criminal prosecution under tax law, potentially resulting in fines, liens, and even jail time. At J. David Tax Law, we support clients in resolving unpaid taxes through payment plans, offers in compromise, or other arrangements with the IRS. Our team works to mitigate penalties and reduce risks associated with criminal investigations, helping clients take proactive steps to manage tax debt while avoiding criminal charges.

Employment Tax Fraud

Employment tax fraud involves intentional efforts by employers to evade paying taxes on behalf of their employees. Common examples include withholding income
but failing to remit it to the IRS or misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid payroll taxes. The IRS CI team actively investigates such cases, often imposing harsh penalties. J. David Tax Law’s attorneys are skilled in navigating employment tax fraud cases, ensuring compliance with tax laws while defending against potential criminal liabilities. We work to minimize exposure to charges, helping employers resolve discrepancies and establish compliant practices.

False Submissions to the IRS

Providing false information on tax returns or to IRS agents during an audit is another form of tax crime. Whether it’s misrepresenting income, deductions, or filing
status, false statements can lead to severe criminal penalties. J. David Tax Law defends clients accused of making false submissions, seeking to show that any inaccuracies were unintentional or to reduce the severity of charges where possible. Our defense approach includes analyzing documentation, providing accurate filings, and negotiating with the IRS to avoid escalation into criminal proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions

Your Tax Relief Questions, Answered

Signs of an IRS criminal investigation include receiving summonses for documents, interviews, or notification that the case has been referred to the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. You may also notice increased surveillance or third-party inquiries regarding your finances. If you suspect an investigation, consult J. David Tax Law immediately to protect your rights.
An IRS criminal investigation can take several months to years, depending on the complexity of the case and the level of suspected fraud. The process includes document reviews, interviews, and potential court involvement. Swift legal intervention can help expedite and potentially resolve the matter.
The IRS targets cases involving significant tax evasion, fraud, or willful misconduct, particularly when large sums of money or multiple years of unpaid taxes are involved. They prioritize cases where they believe intent to defraud the government is clear. If you’re worried about being targeted, you can read this guide to learn more how unpaid taxes can impact your life.
The process includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing financial records, and possibly conducting undercover operations. If the IRS finds sufficient evidence, the case may be referred for prosecution. It’s critical to have a tax attorney involved early on to ensure your rights are protected.
Yes, with proactive legal representation, it’s possible to negotiate with the IRS, correct errors, or provide evidence to prove non-criminal intent, which may prevent the case from escalating to criminal charges. Contact J. David Tax Law to explore your options before charges are filed.
Yes, if the IRS gathers enough evidence of intentional wrongdoing, they can refer the case to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution. This can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
If initial negotiations with the IRS fail, there are still several options for resolution. Plea negotiations can reduce charges or penalties in exchange for a guilty plea, often avoiding a trial. If necessary, going to trial allows your attorney to contest the charges by challenging evidence or proving non-criminal intent. Filing an appeal or exploring alternative programs like Offers in Compromise can also provide opportunities to reduce your tax liability or protect your assets.

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We provide tax solutions for our clients who have IRS and state tax debts, unfiled returns, audits, etc. We advise you on future compliance that enables your individual or business tax problems to be behind you for good.