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Checking our news releases isn¡¯t the only way to find out what¡¯s happening at the IRS. Here are briefs about some other ¡°hot¡± items ¨C new programs, recent guidance, or timely reminders.

Feb. 21, 2025 ¡ª A federal grand jury returned a 32-count superseding indictment charging Zubair Mehmet Abdur Razzaq Al Zubair, recently of Bratenahl, Ohio, his brother Muzzammil Muhammad Al Zubair recently of Pepper Pike, Ohio, and their associate Michael Leon Smedley, 56, of Cleveland, with multiple fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, and public corruption schemes. The initial 22-count indictment was issued Jan. 24, 2024.

Review policy changes to the IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) acceptance agent application process.

A description of employment-related identity theft and actions for victims to take.

March 26, 2025 ¡ª Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Harry Chavis, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) in New England, Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Department of Agriculture ¨C Office of Inspector General today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a nine-count indictment charging Paul R. Steed of Stamford, with fraud and tax offenses stemming from his alleged commission of multiple frauds against his former employer Mars, Inc.

April 10, 2025 ¨D Fresno residents Marcus Asay and Antonio Gastelum were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to five years in prison and two years in prison, respectively, for committing a long-running pension fraud scheme through their company, Agricultural Contracting Services Association dba American Labor Alliance (ALA), Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

July 11, 2023 ¡ª A local woman has been ordered to federal prison following her convictions on seven counts of aiding and assisting in preparing false tax returns, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

March 6, 2023 ¡ª A downtown Los Angeles man was sentenced today to 292 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining nearly $5.5 million in COVID-related jobless benefits by using the identities of California state prison inmates and other third parties, trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, and seeking to fraudulently obtain more than $356,400 in tax refunds.

November 14, 2022 ¡ª A downtown Los Angeles man pleaded guilty today to federal drug trafficking and fraud charges, admitting, among other things, that he fraudulently obtained nearly $5.5 million in COVID-related jobless benefits by using the identities of California state prison inmates and other third parties.

Certain federal payments (OPM, SSA, federal employee salaries, and federal employee travel) disbursed by the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service (BFS) may be subject to a 15 percent levy through the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP) to pay your delinquent tax debt. Find out your appeal rights and how to resolve any dispute.