At the ABA Section of Taxation’s 2017 May Meeting, Erick Martinez, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division’s Director of Field Operations – Northern Area, provided insight into the Division’s current priorities and strategies. Mr. Martinez indicated that the Division is concentrating on nationally coordinated investigations in conjunction with the Justice Department Tax Division and the IRS Large Business and International Division, such as cases involving renewable fuel credits.

The Criminal Investigation Division is also increasing its focus on data-driven cases such as beneficial owner cases, given the plethora of information resulting from the Swiss bank program and offshore voluntary disclosure programs. Mr. Martinez further noted an increased emphasis on cybercrime with two new cybercrime units in Los Angeles and Washington investigating failure to report income earned through the use of technology.