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Choose the reporting route that matches the suspected conduct
| What you suspect | Route | Contact information | Is this an award claim? |
|---|---|---|---|
| An alleged tax-law violation by a person or business | IRS Form 3949-A, Information Referral; the IRS also offers an online reporting experience | IRS says anonymous reporting is permitted through referral paths; review the form or online instructions for the current submission details | No |
| Abusive ERC promotion, a tax scheme, or a preparer deliberately preparing improper returns | IRS Form 14242, submitted by mail or fax | Optional, but helpful to the IRS | No |
| Information submitted with a request for a possible IRS whistleblower award | IRS Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information | Required | Yes |
| Suspected PPP or COVID EIDL loan fraud | SBA OIG has a role in investigating COVID relief loan fraud, and SBA has referred suspected loan-fraud information to the IRS | The current SBA OIG individual intake method is not established here; confirm the active instructions with SBA OIG | No |
A suspected discrepancy, referral, or examination is not proof of fraud. Report what you know as a concern, distinguish firsthand facts from assumptions, and let the relevant agency assess it.
Report suspected tax-law violations to the IRS
Use IRS Form 3949-A, Information Referral, for alleged tax-law violations by an individual, a business, or both. The IRS describes the route as appropriate for suspected tax fraud, evasion, scams, or other violations of tax law, and says an online reporting experience is available. Its examples include false exemptions or deductions, false or altered tax documents, unreported or unsubstantiated income, failure to file, and multiple filings.
The IRS says: “If you suspect tax fraud, evasion, a scam or violation of tax law, report it to the IRS.” Provide specific, credible facts and any supporting documents available. Do not present a suspicion as an established finding.
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Use Form 14242 for suspected abusive ERC activity
For tax-related illegal activity involving ERC claims, suspected abusive tax schemes or promoters, or preparers who deliberately prepare improper returns, the IRS directs people to Form 14242. Include supporting materials. Contact information is optional, but the IRS says it can help with follow-up questions and acknowledgment.
The IRS FAQ lists these submission details for Form 14242:
Internal Revenue ServiceLead Development Center MS7900
1973 N. Rulon White Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
Fax: 877-477-9135
The FAQ instructions were marked updated March 20, 2025. Check the live IRS FAQ before sending anything, since form instructions and contact details can change.
Use Form 211 only when seeking a possible whistleblower award
IRS Form 211, Application for Award for Original Information, is different from an ordinary fraud referral. The IRS says an award claim requires contact information and specific, credible information with available supporting documentation. Anonymous tips do not qualify for an award claim, although the IRS allows anonymous reporting through its referral paths. Submitting Form 211 does not guarantee eligibility or an award.
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How PPP, COVID EIDL, and ERC reports differ
PPP and COVID EIDL are SBA loan programs; ERC is a tax credit administered through the tax system. A concern about a loan application, loan proceeds, or related conduct is not automatically the same as a tax-law allegation, and an ERC claim raises a different set of issues. State which program is involved, identify the conduct you suspect, and provide facts that help an agency understand any overlap.
In a September 23, 2026 release, the SBA said it referred more than $200 billion in suspected PPP and COVID EIDL fraud to the IRS. The same release said IRS comparisons identified discrepancies associated with approximately $100 billion in loans, and examinations were opened to assess possible tax and penalty liabilities. Those figures concern suspected exposure and discrepancies under review; they do not establish that every loan or dollar cited was fraudulent.
The SBA release also cited an SBA OIG estimate that nearly 20% of approximately $1.2 trillion in SBA pandemic-relief program disbursements may have gone to potentially fraudulent actors. SBA OIG first estimated that figure in June 2023; it is an estimate, not a final determination that a settled amount was lost to fraud.
What to include in a report
- Identify the program, such as PPP, COVID EIDL, or ERC, and the person or business involved if known.
- Describe the specific conduct you suspect and when it occurred. Separate what you observed or can document from what you infer.
- Include relevant supporting records you already have, such as forms, correspondence, or other documentation. Follow the selected agency’s instructions for attachments.
- Use the right route for your purpose: an IRS referral to report alleged tax violations, Form 14242 for the specified ERC-related concerns, or Form 211 if you are seeking a possible award.
- Do not send sensitive information through an unverified contact channel. Check the official agency instructions before submitting.
How to report suspected PPP or COVID EIDL fraud to the SBA
SBA OIG has a role in investigating COVID relief loan fraud, and SBA has referred suspected PPP and COVID EIDL fraud information to the IRS. However, a current official SBA OIG individual intake page and verified submission instructions are not established here. Do not rely on an unverified phone number, form, mailing address, or web page. Confirm the current reporting channel directly through SBA OIG’s official site before submitting a report. If the suspected conduct also involves an alleged tax-law violation, consider the appropriate IRS route as well.
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