Issue Number: IR-2026-84Inside This Issue
IRS recognizes National Whistleblower Day with $8 billion recovered since 2007Whistleblowers help protect tax system, public resources IR-2026-84, July 28, 2026 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today highlighted the upcoming National Whistleblower Day, and the important role whistleblowers play in exposing fraud, reducing the tax gap, and strengthening compliance. Observed annually on July 30, National Whistleblower Day commemorates the nation’s first whistleblower law, enacted in 1778, and recognizes individuals who report wrongdoing and help protect public resources. Since the IRS program’s inception in 2007, whistleblower information has contributed to significant enforcement outcomes with more than $8 billion recovered and over $1.4 billion paid in awards. “Historically whistleblowers have played an essential role in tax administration by calling attention to problems others have overlooked,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. “Information provided by whistleblowers helps the IRS identify noncompliance, pursue enforcement actions, and ensure fairness for taxpayers who follow the law.” IRS Whistleblower Office acting director Erick Martinez added, “Celebrating National Whistleblower Day is an opportunity to express sincere appreciation to whistleblowers. Their efforts make our tax system stronger by exposing wrongdoing and deterring bad actors. Their tips provide the IRS with information the agency would not otherwise know about, potentially increasing collections, and improving tax compliance.” IRS Whistleblower program continues to deliver results and enhance collaboration The IRS Whistleblower Office provides a secure and easy process for individuals to report tax violations. In some cases, individuals receive a monetary award for information that leads to the collection of taxes, penalties, or other amounts. Over the past year, the IRS has enhanced its digital tools to make it easier to submit a whistleblower claim, increased awareness of emerging schemes, and continued to strengthen collaboration with whistleblower program stakeholders. These efforts include:
- Digital Form 211: The IRS launched Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information, allowing whistleblowers to submit information using a phone or laptop. As a result, submission rates have reached unprecedented levels.
- Streamlined online reporting: The IRS launched a centralized online reporting tool at gov/SubmitATip that provides step-by-step guidance to report fraud and scams, including information on how to submit documents.
- Whistleblower Alerts: The IRS Whistleblower Office continues to expand its Whistleblower Alert initiative, which highlights emerging abusive tax schemes and provides information to help individuals identify and report suspicious activity.
- Enhancing global tax compliance: The IRS Whistleblower Office collaborates with whistleblowers, practitioners, advocacy groups, and other governmental and international whistleblower programs, including assisting the United Kingdom tax authorities whistleblower program.
The IRS encourages individuals with credible information about tax noncompliance to submit their information. The most valuable whistleblower submissions contain specific, timely, significant, and credible information. Whistleblowers may be eligible for a monetary award if the information they provide leads to the collection of taxes or other proceeds. For more information about the IRS Whistleblower Office and how to report suspected tax fraud, visit IRS Whistleblower Office on IRS.gov.
Back to Top     
Thank you for subscribing to the IRS Newswire, an IRS e-mail service.
RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES FROM THE IRS!
Did you know you can now receive IRS bulletins directly on your mobile phone?
Stay informed wherever you are with convenient text message updates. Some IRS topics like IRS Newswire and QuickAlerts are available for text subscription, giving you faster access to important information through a new, easy-to-use communication channel.
Additional topics will be added throughout the year, expanding the information you can receive by text.
Opt-in today to start receiving IRS text message bulletins and stay connected on the go.
If you know someone who might want to subscribe to this mailing list, please forward this message to them so they can subscribe.
This message was distributed automatically from the mailing list IRS Newswire. Please Do Not Reply To This Message.
|
