Congress funds IRS to audit the wealthy—and will track whether it actually happens
H.R. 9736 — Stop CHEATERS Act · Filed by Suzan DelBene (D-WA) · 40 cosponsors · Introduced Jul 16, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill appropriates $33.3 billion to the IRS over six fiscal years (2026–2031) to modernize outdated technology, hire enforcement staff, and strengthen tax collection—with explicit focus on auditing high-income individuals and large corporations. The bill requires the IRS to report to Congress on its progress shifting audit resources toward wealthy taxpayers and corporations, and mandates the Treasury Inspector General to evaluate that effort.
Why we flagged it
The bill is a straightforward appropriations measure funding IRS enforcement and technology modernization, with explicit statutory direction to prioritize high-income and corporate audit activity. The title (Stop CHEATERS Act) is a backronym but accurately describes the bill's function.
What the text implies
- The bill's success depends on IRS hiring and retention of specialized auditors; if recruitment fails or attrition is high, enforcement gains may not materialize despite appropriations.
- Shifting audit resources toward high-income individuals and corporations may reduce audit rates for middle-income taxpayers, creating a potential fairness trade-off not explicitly addressed in the bill.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
IRS contractors (IT systems integrators, software vendors); Consulting firms specializing in tax compliance and audit methodology; Federal employees (IRS auditors, investigators, support staff)