In recent years, the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) division and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have aggressively pursued tax professionals involved in fraud or other tax-related crimes. Certified tax planners, preparers, accountants, and attorneys who engage in misconduct are facing serious legal consequences. This article reviews notable prosecutions from roughly the past five years, highlighting enforcement trends and the types of fraud authorities have targeted. We then distill 10 key lessons from these cases – each supported by real-world examples and case citations – demonstrating how broad enforcement has impacted tax professionals. Finally, we conclude with a comprehensive list of dos and don'ts to help tax practitioners stay on the right side of the law and avoid the pitfalls that landed others in trouble.
Big Beautiful Promises of No Tax On This, That, and The Other Thing
Peter J Reilly CPA
President Trump’s campaign promises oriented toward working stiffs and geezers – No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Car Loan Interest, No Tax on Social Security – were not precisely fulfilled in the Big Beautiful Bill, but they were not ignored. Rather than the exclusion implied by “No Tax,” we get deductions. Just so we don’t miss the connection, the first three get their own chapter in the Big Beautiful Bill – Delivering on Presidential Priorities to Provide New Middle-Class Tax Relief. The bone thrown to seniors is an exemption.
