Report tax fraud, a scam or law violation

If you suspect tax fraud, evasion, a scam or violation of tax law, report it to the IRS.

How it works

There are several ways to report fraud and scams, including anonymously. You can also submit a whistleblower claim for award.

The IRS Whistleblower Office provides monetary awards for information that leads to proceeds collected. To submit a claim for award, report your information with Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information. Check if you qualify in the steps that follow.

Before you start

Identify what you’re reporting and if you’re submitting a whistleblower claim for award.
 

What are you reporting?

A person or business may have committed tax fraud, evasion or a law violation

Tax fraud, evasion or a law violation by a person or business can include:  

  • False exemptions or deductions 
  • Kickbacks
  • A false or altered tax document
  • Failure to pay or withhold taxes
  • Unreported or unsubstantiated income
  • Organized crime 
  • Failure to file a return
  • Multiple filings or filing multiple returns
  • Earned Income Credit violations
  • Illegal wagering/gambling income
  • Illegal drug income 
  • Public/political corruption

 

Do you want to submit a whistleblower claim for award? You’ll need to provide your contact information.

Report tax fraud

Report your information with Form 3949-A, Information Referral.

Submit Form 3949-A
 


Do you have specific and credible information about tax law violations or other laws the IRS is authorized to administer, enforce or investigate?
This includes:
  • Specific and credible facts that may lead to collected proceeds
  • The identity of individuals you believe have failed to comply with internal revenue laws
  • Substantive information, including all available documentation, that supports your allegations

 

Report tax fraud

Report your information with Form 3949-A, Information Referral.

Submit Form 3949-A


Are you a current employee of the Department of Treasury?

 

Report tax fraud

Report your information with Form 3949-A, Information Referral.

Submit Form 3949-A


Are you willing to provide information about yourself and sign under penalty of perjury?

 

Report tax fraud

Report your information with Form 3949-A, Information Referral.

Submit Form 3949-A

 

Submit a whistleblower claim for award

Submit a claim for award with Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information.
 

I may have been scammed or targeted in a tax scheme

Scammers and dishonest tax preparers promote illegal ways to reduce or evade tax. Tax scams, bad social media advice and complex schemes can involve things such as improper:

  • Withholding on Forms W-2 or 1099
  • Credit or deduction claims
  • Refund claims
  • Asset valuation
  • Pass-through entities, trusts or limited liability companies

 

Do you want to submit a whistleblower claim for award? To be considered, you’ll need to provide your contact information.

Report a tax scam or scheme

Report your information with Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers.

Submit Form 14242


Do you have specific and credible information about tax law violations or other laws the IRS is authorized to administer, enforce or investigate?
This includes:
  • Specific and credible facts that may lead to collected proceeds
  • The identity of individuals you believe have failed to comply with internal revenue laws
  • Substantive information, including all available documentation, that supports your allegations

 

Report a tax scam or scheme

Report your information with Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers.

Submit Form 14242


Are you a current employee of the Department of Treasury?

 

Report a tax scam or scheme

Report your information with Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers.

Submit Form 14242


Are you willing to provide information about yourself and sign under penalty of perjury?

 

Report a tax scam or scheme

Report your information with Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers.

Submit Form 14242

 

Submit a whistleblower claim for award

Submit a claim for award with Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information.
 

Cryptocurrency or other money laundering or wire fraud

Money laundering schemes hide illegally obtained money by passing it through legitimate financial or business transactions. It can involve:

  • Cryptocurrency and digital assets
  • Numerous small deposits or purchases
  • Cash-intensive businesses
  • Bulk cash smuggling
  • Trade-based transfers
  • Real estate transactions
  • Shell companies and trusts
  • Casinos and gambling operations

Wire fraud is the act of defrauding someone through electronic communications, such as by phone or online.   

 

Do you want to submit a whistleblower claim for award? To be considered, you’ll need to provide your contact information.

Report cryptocurrency or other money laundering or wire fraud

Contact the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)


Do you have specific and credible information about tax law violations or other laws the IRS is authorized to administer, enforce or investigate?
This includes:
  • Specific and credible facts that may lead to collected proceeds
  • The identity of individuals you believe have failed to comply with internal revenue laws
  • Substantive information, including all available documentation, that supports your allegations

 

Report cryptocurrency or other money laundering or wire fraud

Contact the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)


Are you a current employee of the Department of Treasury?

 

Report cryptocurrency or other money laundering or wire fraud

Contact the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)


Are you willing to provide information about yourself and sign under penalty of perjury?

 

Report cryptocurrency or other money laundering or wire fraud

Contact the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)

 

Submit a whistleblower claim for award

Submit a claim for award with Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information.
 

Tax preparer misconduct or fraud

Fraud or misconduct by a paid tax preparer or tax preparation business can include:

  • Stealing or embezzling a refund
  • Not filing a return as agreed
  • Filing a return without your consent
  • Falsifying information on a return
  • Misrepresenting credentials
  • Not complying with tax law on their own return

 

Do you want to submit a whistleblower claim for award? To be considered, you’ll need to provide your contact information.

Report tax preparer misconduct or fraud

Report your information with Form 14157, Return Preparer Complaint.

Submit Form 14157


Do you have specific and credible information about tax law violations or other laws the IRS is authorized to administer, enforce or investigate?
This includes:
  • Specific and credible facts that may lead to collected proceeds
  • The identity of individuals you believe have failed to comply with internal revenue laws
  • Substantive information, including all available documentation, that supports your allegations

 

Report tax preparer misconduct or fraud

Report your information with Form 14157, Return Preparer Complaint.

Submit Form 14157


Are you a current employee of the Department of Treasury?

 

Report tax preparer misconduct or fraud

Report your information with Form 14157, Return Preparer Complaint.

Submit Form 14157


Are you willing to provide information about yourself and sign under penalty of perjury?

 

Report tax preparer misconduct or fraud

Report your information with Form 14157, Return Preparer Complaint.

Submit Form 14157

 

Submit a whistleblower claim for award

Submit a claim for award with Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information.
 

Tax-exempt organization, employee plan or government entity noncompliance

Tax law violations by these entities can include:

  • Fraud
  • Income or assets used for personal gain
  • Lack of charitable or exempt purpose
  • Illegal activities
  • Political campaign intervention
  • Excessive lobbying
  • For-profit business activities
  • False income or deductions
  • Failure to file required federal tax returns or forms
  • Failure to pay or withhold taxes
  • Unreported or underreported compensation
  • Unreported taxable benefits

 

Do you want to submit a whistleblower claim for award? To be considered, you’ll need to provide your contact information.

Report tax-exempt organization, employee plan or government entity noncompliance

Report your information with Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral).

Submit Form 13909


Do you have specific and credible information about tax law violations or other laws the IRS is authorized to administer, enforce or investigate?
This includes:
  • Specific and credible facts that may lead to collected proceeds
  • The identity of individuals you believe have failed to comply with internal revenue laws
  • Substantive information, including all available documentation, that supports your allegations

 

Report tax-exempt organization, employee plan or government entity noncompliance

Report your information with Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral).

Submit Form 13909


Are you a current employee of the Department of Treasury?

 

Report tax-exempt organization, employee plan or government entity noncompliance

Report your information with Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral).

Submit Form 13909


Are you willing to provide information about yourself and sign under penalty of perjury?

 

Report tax-exempt organization, employee plan or government entity noncompliance

Report your information with Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral).

Submit Form 13909

 

Submit a whistleblower claim for award

Submit a claim for award with Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information.
 

Other

What do you want to report?

Other fraud, scam or law violation


Do you want to submit a whistleblower claim for award? You’ll need to provide your contact information.

Report other fraud, scam or law violation

Report your information with Form 3949-A, Information Referral.

Submit Form 3949-A
 


Do you have specific and credible information about tax law violations or other laws the IRS is authorized to administer, enforce or investigate?
This includes:
  • Specific and credible facts that may lead to collected proceeds
  • The identity of individuals you believe have failed to comply with internal revenue laws
  • Substantive information, including all available documentation, that supports your allegations

 

Report tax fraud

Report your information with Form 3949-A, Information Referral.

Submit Form 3949-A


Are you a current employee of the Department of Treasury?

 

Report tax fraud

Report your information with Form 3949-A, Information Referral.

Submit Form 3949-A


Are you willing to provide information about yourself and sign under penalty of perjury?

 

Report tax fraud

Report your information with Form 3949-A, Information Referral.

Submit Form 3949-A

 

Submit a whistleblower claim for award

Submit a claim for award with Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information.
 

Waste, fraud or abuse by an IRS employee

Report your information to the U.S. Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

Submit a complaint

Employer retaliation from a whistleblower claim

The U.S. Department of Labor protects whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting issues relating to fraud and financial issues.

Find out about your protections and how to file a complaint at Whistleblowers.gov.

Fake IRS, Treasury or tax-related email or message

If you got a phishing email or other suspicious message, report it to us.

Identity theft

If your personal or tax information was stolen, get identity theft help.

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 18-Oct-2025