The IRS Whistleblower Office pays money to people who blow the whistle on companies and individuals that fail to pay the tax that they owe. The whistleblower must provide specific and credible information concerning a significant failure to pay tax.
Under the IRS Whistleblower Program, a whistleblower may be entitled to an award of between 15% and 30% of the amount collected by the government if he or she provides information that leads to the recovery of at least $2 million in underpaid taxes, interest and penalties. If the recovery is smaller, the maximum award is 15% of the recovery.
The IRS promises to protect the identity of whistleblowers to the fullest extent permitted by the law.
Under limited circumstances, such as when the whistleblower is an essential witness in a judicial proceeding, it may not be possible to pursue the investigation or examination without revealing the whistleblower’s identity.
