Whistleblower Office looks to streamline claims

The IRS Whistleblower Office has released its first multiyear operating plan outlining principles, priorities, achievements and initiatives for "excellent service" to whistleblowers.

"We need help from whistleblowers — people with firsthand knowledge of non-compliance who are willing to share what they know with us so we can investigate," said IRS Whistleblower Office director John Hinman in his message prefacing the plan. 

The plan reflects a multiyear approach to improving processes and operations, expanding collaboration and outreach and integrating stakeholder feedback with: 

• An enhanced claim submission process;
• Effective use of whistleblower information;
• Fair and timely awards;
• Keeping whistleblowers informed of the status of their claims and the basis for IRS decisions on claims;
• Safeguarding of whistleblower and taxpayer information; and,
• Supporting the office workforce with technology, training and other resources. 

Thirty-eight initiatives will address areas to advance the program, including several to speed claims: a claims portal, more locations nationwide for claim review and better initial analysis, among other measures.
Since 2007, the office has made awards of more than $1.3 billion based on collection of more than $7.4 billion from tips. In fiscal year 2024, the IRS paid awards totaling $123.5 million based on tax and other amounts collected of $474.7 million, the third highest amount in the program's history. Whistleblowers' awards are generally 15% to 30% of the attributable money collected. 

The Continental Congress passed America's first whistleblower law in 1778. The first law related to whistleblowers on tax violations was enacted in 1867. 

(Read more: "Whistleblower awards from the IRS more than doubled.")