Federal · Title 26 — Internal Revenue Code

26 U.S.C. § 7214: Offenses by officers and employees of the United States

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits officers and employees from committing extortion, demanding unauthorized fees, defrauding the United States, making false records, or failing to report known violations. Violations of certain prohibitions result in dismissal and fines up to $5,000.

Read the full statutory text
who is guilty of any extortion or willful oppression under color of law; or who knowingly demands other or greater sums than are authorized by law, or receives any fee, compensation, or reward, except as by law prescribed, for the performance of any duty; or who with intent to defeat the application of any provision of this title fails to perform any of the duties of his office or employment; or who conspires or colludes with any other person to defraud the United States; or who knowingly makes opportunity for any person to defraud the United States; or who does or omits to do any act with intent to enable any other person to defraud the United States; or who makes or signs any fraudulent entry in any book, or makes or signs any fraudulent certificate, return, or statement; or who, having knowledge or information of the violation of any revenue law by any person, or of fraud committed by any person against the United States under any revenue law, fails to report, in writing, such knowledge or information to the Secretary; or who demands, or accepts, or attempts to collect, directly or indirectly as payment or gift, or otherwise, any sum of money or other thing of value for the compromise, adjustment, or settlement of any charge or complaint for any violation or alleged violation of law, except as expressly authorized by law so to do; Any internal revenue officer or employee interested, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture of tobacco, snuff, or cigarettes, or in the production, rectification, or redistillation of distilled spirits, shall be dismissed from office; and each such officer or employee so interested in any such manufacture or production, rectification, or redistillation or production of fermented liquors shall be fined not more than $5,000. For penalty on collecting or disbursing officers trading in public funds or debts or property, see 18 U.S.C. 1901 .

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.