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The IRS Whistleblower Office pays money to people who blow the whistle on persons who fail to pay the tax that they owe. If the IRS uses information provided by the whistleblower, it can award the whistleblower up to 30 percent of the additional tax, penalty and other amounts it collects.

News from the Whistleblower Office

The Secretary of the Treasury reports to Congress each fiscal year on the use of Internal Revenue Code section 7623. The Whistleblower Office Report to Congress PDF for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019 was released on January 6, 2020. Reports for prior years are also available.

for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019 was released on January 6, 2020. Reports for prior years are also available. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 adds a new Internal Revenue Code subsection – 7623(c) expanding the definition of proceeds for whistleblower awards. This applies to any open whistleblower claim.

Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement Memorandum on Debriefing dated August 4,2017 PDF

Treasury issued final regulations to implement section 7623 effective on August 12, 2014: The regulations generally apply to claims that are open as of the effective date. Section 301.7623-4, which contains the rules for determining the amount and payment of awards, applies to claims for award under section 7623(b) that are open as of August 12, 2014, and to information submitted after that date. The amount and payment of awards under 7623(a) for information received prior to August 12, 2014 will be paid under the rules described in the Internal Revenue Manual.

Whistleblower Reforms Under the Taxpayer First Act

On July 1, 2019, the President signed the Taxpayer First Act into law. The new law includes several important provisions to help improve taxpayer service, ensure we are continuing to enforce the tax laws in a fair, impartial manner and ultimately support the continued success of our nation. The Act included law changes pertaining to the notification process to whistleblowers and made available protection for whistleblowers against retaliation.

Sequester Notices

Fiscal 2020 Sequester Notice from Whistleblower Office effective October 1, 2019: PDF Impact on whistleblower payments.

Information About Submitting a Whistleblower Claim

Who can get an award?

The IRS may pay awards to people who provide specific and credible information to the IRS if the information results in the collection of taxes, penalties, interest or other amounts from the noncompliant taxpayer.

The IRS is looking for solid information, not an “educated guess” or unsupported speculation. We are also looking for a significant Federal tax issue - this is not a program for resolving personal problems or disputes about a business relationship.

What are the rules for getting an award?

The law provides for two types of awards. If the taxes, penalties, interest and other amounts in dispute exceed $2 million, and a few other qualifications are met, the IRS will pay 15 percent to 30 percent of the amount collected. If the case deals with an individual, his or her annual gross income must be more than $200,000. If the whistleblower disagrees with the outcome of the claim, he or she can appeal to the Tax Court. These rules are found at Internal Revenue Code IRC Section 7623(b) - Whistleblower Rules.

The IRS also has an award program for other whistleblowers - generally those who do not meet the dollar thresholds of $2 million in dispute or cases involving individual taxpayers with gross income of less that $200,000. The awards through this program are less, with a maximum award of 15 percent up to $10 million. In addition, the awards are discretionary and the informant cannot dispute the outcome of the claim in Tax Court. The rules for these cases are found at Internal Revenue Code IRC Section 7623(a) - Informant Claims Program, and some of the rules are different from those that apply to cases involving more than $2 million.

If you decide to submit information and seek an award for doing so, use IRS Form 211 PDF. The same form is used for both award programs.

More Information

Whistleblower Internal Revenue Manual

Historical Information