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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 7608. Authority of internal revenue enforcement officers

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).

Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 7608

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Added
September 2, 1958 by Pub. L. 85–859
Last amended
January 4, 2011 by Pub. L. 111–350
Amendments
14 dated changes in the source credit
Length
3 subsections · 1,420 words · about 6 min to read
Defines
3 terms
Cross-references
cites 1; cited by 2 Code sections and 0 other regulations
(a) Enforcement of subtitle E and other laws pertaining to liquor, tobacco, and firearms Any investigator, agent, or other internal revenue officer by whatever term designated, whom the Secretary charges with the duty of enforcing any of the criminal, seizure, or forfeiture provisions of subtitle E or of any other law of the United States pertaining to the commodities subject to tax under such subtitle for the enforcement of which the Secretary is responsible, may—
(1) carry firearms;
(2) execute and serve search warrants and arrest warrants, and serve subpoenas and summonses issued under authority of the United States;
(3) in respect to the performance of such duty, make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in his presence, or for any felony cognizable under the laws of the United States if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed, or is committing, such felony; and
(4) in respect to the performance of such duty, make seizures of property subject to forfeiture to the United States.
(b) Enforcement of laws relating to internal revenue other than subtitle E
(1) Any criminal investigator of the Intelligence Division of the Internal Revenue Service whom the Secretary charges with the duty of enforcing any of the criminal provisions of the internal revenue laws, any other criminal provisions of law relating to internal revenue for the enforcement of which the Secretary is responsible, or any other law for which the Secretary has delegated investigatory authority to the Internal Revenue Service, is, in the performance of his duties, authorized to perform the functions described in paragraph (2).
(2) The functions authorized under this subsection to be performed by an officer referred to in paragraph (1) are—
(A) to execute and serve search warrants and arrest warrants, and serve subpoenas and summonses issued under authority of the United States;
(B) to make arrests without warrant for any offense against the United States relating to the internal revenue laws committed in his presence, or for any felony cognizable under such laws if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to be arrested has committed or is committing any such felony; and
(C) to make seizures of property subject to forfeiture under the internal revenue laws.
(c) Rules relating to undercover operations
(1) Certification required for exemption of undercover operations from certain laws With respect to any undercover investigative operation of the Internal Revenue Service (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “Service”) which is necessary for the detection and prosecution of offenses under the internal revenue laws, any other criminal provisions of law relating to internal revenue, or any other law for which the Secretary has delegated investigatory authority to the Internal Revenue Service—
(A) sums authorized to be appropriated for the Service may be used—
(i) to purchase property, buildings, and other facilities, and to lease space, within the United States, the District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions of the United States without regard to—
(I) sections 1341 and 3324 of title 31, United States Code,
(II) sections 6301(a) and (b)(1)–(3) and 6306 of title 41, United States Code,
(III) chapter 45 of title 41, United States Code,
(IV) section 8141 of title 40, United States Code, and
(V) section 3901 of title 41, United States Code, and
(ii) to establish or to acquire proprietary corporations or business entities as part of the undercover operation, and to operate such corporations or business entities on a commercial basis, without regard to sections 9102 and 9103 of title 31, United States Code;
(B) sums authorized to be appropriated for the Service and the proceeds from the undercover operations may be deposited in banks or other financial institutions without regard to the provisions of section 648 of title 18, United States Code, and section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, and
(C) the proceeds from the undercover operation may be used to offset necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in such operation without regard to the provisions of section 3302 of title 31, United States Code.
This paragraph shall apply only upon the written certification of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (or, if designated by the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner or an Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue) that any action authorized by subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) is necessary for the conduct of such undercover operation.
(2) Liquidation of corporations and business entities

If a corporation or business entity established or acquired as part of an undercover operation under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) with a net value over $50,000 is to be liquidated, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the Service, as much in advance as the Commissioner or his delegate determines is practicable, shall report the circumstances to the Secretary. The proceeds of the liquidation, sale, or other disposition, after obligations are met, shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.

(3) Deposit of proceeds

As soon as the proceeds from an undercover investigative operation with respect to which an action is authorized and carried out under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) are no longer necessary for the conduct of such operation, such proceeds or the balance of such proceeds remaining at the time shall be deposited into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.

(4) Audits
(A) The Service shall conduct a detailed financial audit of each undercover investigative operation which is closed in each fiscal year; and
(i) submit the results of the audit in writing to the Secretary; and
(ii) not later than 180 days after such undercover operation is closed, submit a report to the Congress concerning such audit.
(B) The Service shall also submit a report annually to the Congress specifying as to its undercover investigative operations—
(i) the number, by programs, of undercover investigative operations pending as of the end of the 1-year period for which such report is submitted;
(ii) the number, by programs, of undercover investigative operations commenced in the 1-year period for which such report is submitted;
(iii) the number, by programs, of undercover investigative operations closed in the 1-year period for which such report is submitted, and
(iv) the following information with respect to each undercover investigative operation pending as of the end of the 1-year period for which such report is submitted or closed during such 1-year period—
(I) the date the operation began and the date of the certification referred to in the last sentence of paragraph (1),
(II) the total expenditures under the operation and the amount and use of the proceeds from the operation,
(III) a detailed description of the operation including the potential violation being investigated and whether the operation is being conducted under grand jury auspices, and
(IV) the results of the operation including the results of criminal proceedings.
(5) Definitions For purposes of paragraph (4)—
(A) Closed The term “closed” means the date on which the later of the following occurs;
(i) all criminal proceedings (other than appeals) are concluded, or
(ii) covert activities are concluded, whichever occurs later.
(B) Employees

The term “employees” has the meaning given such term by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code.

(C) Undercover investigative operation

The term “undercover investigative operation” means any undercover investigative operation of the Service; except that, for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (4), such term only includes an operation which is exempt from section 3302 or 9102 of title 31, United States Code.

(Added Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 204(14), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1429; amended Pub. L. 87–863, § 6(a), Oct. 23, 1962, 76 Stat. 1143; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1834; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7601(c)(1), (2), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4504; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11704(a)(32), (33), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–519; Pub. L. 104–168, title XII, § 1205(b)–(c)(2), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1471, 1472; Pub. L. 104–316, title I, § 113, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3833; Pub. L. 105–206, title I, § 1103(e)(4), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 710; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 303], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–632; Pub. L. 107–217, § 3(f), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1299; Pub. L. 108–178, § 4(e), Dec. 15, 2003, 117 Stat. 2641; Pub. L. 109–135, title III, § 304, Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2609; Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title I, § 121, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 2944; Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title IV, § 401(a), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3875; Pub. L. 111–350, § 5(f), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3848.)

Terms defined here

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Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

This section cites 1 other section

Cited by 2 Code sections

Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 111–350Parts changed in 2011: (c)(1)(A)(i)(II) (c)(1)(A)(i)(III) (c)(1)(A)(i)(V)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 110–343Parts changed in 2008: (c)(6)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 109–432Parts changed in 2006: (c)(6)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 109–135Parts changed in 2005: (c)(6)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 108–178Parts changed in 2003: (c)(1)(A)(i)(IV)
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 107–217Parts changed in 2002: (c)(1)(A)(i)(IV)
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 106–554Parts changed in 2000: (c)(6)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 105–206Parts changed in 1998: (b)(1)
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 104–316Parts changed in 1996: (c)(2) (c)(4)(B)(ii) (c)(4)(B)(iii) (c)(5)(C) (c)(6)
  10. Amended by Pub. L. 104–168
  11. Amended by Pub. L. 101–508Parts changed in 1990: (c)(1)(B) (c)(5)(C)
  12. Amended by Pub. L. 100–690Parts changed in 1988: (b)(1) (c)
  13. Amended by Pub. L. 94–455
  14. Amended by Pub. L. 87–863
  15. Added by Pub. L. 85–859

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle F Procedure and Administration
  2. Chapter 78 DISCOVERY OF LIABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
  3. Subchapter A Examination and Inspection

Nearby sections

Official notes

Show the Law Revision Counsel's notes (amendments, effective dates)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 7608 was renumbered section 7613 of this title.

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i)(II). Pub. L. 111–350, § 5(f)(1), substituted “sections 6301(a) and (b)(1)–(3) and 6306” for “sections 11(a) and 22”.

Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i)(III). Pub. L. 111–350, § 5(f)(2), substituted “chapter 45” for “section 255”.

Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i)(V). Pub. L. 111–350, § 5(f)(3), substituted “section 3901” for “section 254(a) and (c)”.

2008—Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 110–343 struck out par. (6). Text read as follows: “The provisions of this subsection—

“(A) shall apply after November 17, 1988, and before January 1, 1990, and

“(B) shall apply after the date of the enactment of this paragraph and before January 1, 2008.

All amounts expended pursuant to this subsection during the period described in subparagraph (B) shall be recovered to the extent possible, and deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts, before January 1, 2008.”

2006—Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 109–432 substituted “2008” for “2007” in subpar. (B) and concluding provisions.

2005—Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 109–135 substituted “January 1, 2007” for “January 1, 2006” in subpar. (B) and concluding provisions.

2003—Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i)(IV). Pub. L. 108–178 substituted “title 40, United States Code” for “title 40”.

2002—Subsec. (c)(1)(A)(i)(IV). Pub. L. 107–217 substituted “section 8141 of title 40” for “section 34 of title 40, United States Code”.

2000—Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 106–554 substituted “January 1, 2006” for “January 1, 2001” in subpar. (B) and concluding provisions.

1998—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–206 struck out “or of the Internal Security Division” after “Intelligence Division”.

1996—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 104–316 struck out “and the Comptroller General of the United States” after “Secretary”.

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 104–168, § 1205(c)(1)(A), (B), struck out “preceding the period” after “in the 1-year period” and “and” at end.

Subsec. (c)(4)(B)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 104–168, § 1205(c)(1)(C), added cls. (iii) and (iv) and struck out former cl. (iii) which read as follows: “the number, by programs, of undercover investigative operations closed in the 1-year period preceding the period for which such report is submitted and, with respect to each such closed undercover operation, the results obtained and any civil claims made with respect thereto.”

Subsec. (c)(5)(C). Pub. L. 104–168, § 1205(c)(2), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The terms ‘undercover investigative operation’ and ‘undercover operation’ mean any undercover investigative operation of the Service—

“(i) in which—

“(I) the gross receipts (excluding interest earned) exceed $50,000; or

“(II) expenditures, both recoverable and nonrecoverable (other than expenditures for salaries of employees), exceed $150,000; and

“(ii) which is exempt from section 3302 or 9102 of title 31, United States Code.

Clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply with respect to the report required under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4).”

Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 104–168, § 1205(b), added par. (6).

1990—Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11704(a)(32), struck out comma after “operations”.

Subsec. (c)(5)(C). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11704(a)(33), substituted “interest” for “interested” in cl. (i)(I) and “title 31” for “title 3” in cl. (ii).

1988—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–690, § 7601(c)(1), substituted comma for “or” before “any other” and inserted “, or any other law for which the Secretary has delegated investigatory authority to the Internal Revenue Service,” after “responsible”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–690, § 7601(c)(2), added subsec. (c).

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.

1962—Pub. L. 87–863 redesignated existing provisions as subsec. (a), added subsec. (a) heading, and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title IV, § 401(b), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3875, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to operations conducted after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 3, 2008].”

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–178 effective Aug. 21, 2002, see section 5 of Pub. L. 108–178, set out as a note under section 5334 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–168, title XII, § 1205(c)(3), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1472, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1996].”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7601(c)(3), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4507, as amended by Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXIII, § 3301(a), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4917; Pub. L. 104–168, title XII, § 1205(a), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1471, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988].”

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Pub. L. 87–863, § 6(b), Oct. 23, 1962, 76 Stat. 1143, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the day after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 23, 1962].”

Effective Date

Section effective Sept. 3, 1958, see section 210(a)(1) of Pub. L. 85–859, set out as a note under section 5001 of this title.