In addition to being the only people with legal authorization to fight tax crimes, these armed CI agents also work with federal prosecutors to help build everything from narcotics to corruption cases, utilizing all manner of investigative tactics from working undercover and developing informants to utilizing wiretaps and conducting raids.
If you still don't believe it, consider that CI agents were at the center of the recent money laundering cases against officials with FIFA and various Swiss banks.
Interestingly enough, recent reports indicate that major budget cuts have not only resulted in many early retirements among CI agents, but also a veritable freeze on hiring skilled candidates to replace them. Indeed, statistics show that while there were 2,739 CI agents in 2011, this number fell to 2,316 this year and is projected to fall to 2,166 next year with no additional hires.
While it may be true that the ranks of CI agents are declining and their resources are more limited, it would be foolhardy for people to discount their presence or their commitment to cracking down on tax crimes.
Indeed, a recently released IRS report reveals that the Criminal Investigation division initiated 3,853 investigations from October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015, and that their conviction rate for fiscal year 2015 sat at a very impressive 93.2 percent.
What all of this really serves to underscore is that the IRS is still very much a force to be reckoned with and, as such, those under investigation should seriously consider speaking with an experienced legal professional as soon as possible.
At the Law Offices of Horwitz & Citro, P.A., we have more than 30 years of experience protecting the rights of clients charged with a variety of tax crimes, including tax evasion, and the failure to file tax returns. We are committed to protecting your freedom and your future should the IRS come knocking.
