Part 5/12:
Furthermore, there is confusion within the agency regarding the definition of a "high-income" taxpayer. The term has been used loosely in internal discussions and reports, with no clear, universally accepted threshold. The IRS Watchdog, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, pointed out that the agency relies on outdated criteria—using $200,000 as a benchmark rather than the $400,000 figure often cited in political rhetoric. As a result, enforcement efforts may not be as targeted as publicly portrayed, with all taxpayers potentially at risk of audit.