Directs GAO to Study How Artificial Intelligence Can Support IRS Enforcement Efforts
WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Congressman David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), Chair of the Oversight Subcommittee on Ways and Means, announced that they introduced the Digital Evaluation for Tax Enforcement and Compliance Tracking Act (DETECT) Act (H.R. 4974). This bill would empower the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to strengthen tax fraud detection efforts and protect American taxpayer dollars with emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The DETECT Act would require the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on the potential of artificial intelligence to assist the IRS in detecting tax fraud.
“The IRS identified over $9.1 billion in fraud from tax and financial crimes in Fiscal Year 2024 alone,” said Buchanan. “We have a responsibility to protect hardworking Americans by ensuring their tax dollars are used wisely and government operates at peak efficiency. That’s why I’m proud to join Chairman Schweikert in introducing the DETECT Act to harness emerging artificial intelligence capabilities to strengthen fraud detection, cut waste and ensure the IRS can conduct efficient, thorough investigations to protect American taxpayer dollars.”
The bill facilitates the IRS’s growing momentum in cracking down on tax fraud and reinforces ongoing efforts to strengthen enforcement capabilities. In 2020, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) identified $2.3 billion in tax fraud through 1,598 investigations, resulting in 945 prosecution recommendations and 593 sentencing actions. By 2024, the IRS-CI had launched 2,667 investigations, secured 1,571 convictions, uncovered more than $9.1 billion in tax and financial fraud and recovered nearly $3 billion through restitution and asset seizures. Building on this progress, the DETECT Act aims to help the IRS take its efforts even further by evaluating how artificial intelligence can enhance fraud detection and improve recovery of taxpayer dollars.
Buchanan and Schweikert are joined by original cosponsors Reps. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas), Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.).
Buchanan has long been a leader in advancing meaningful legislation to protect hard-working Americans, support small businesses and combat waste and abuse. In January 2025, he introduced the No Tax on Tips Act (H.R. 482) to eliminate federal income tax on qualified tips and limit eligibility to traditionally tipped occupations, including waiters, hospitality workers and beauticians. His bill was included in House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law by President Trump.
