MADISON — Last month the IRS announced it had recovered $1 billion from millionaires who previously owed at least $250,000 in unpaid taxes. This was made possible thanks to funding in the Inflation Reduction Act, which has given the agency more resources to hold the ultra-wealthy accountable for not paying their fair share.

“Working families and small business owners across Wisconsin follow the rules, pay their taxes, and support their communities — there’s no reason why the ultra-wealthy shouldn’t do the same,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, wealthy tax cheats are finally being held accountable. This milestone shows that these additional resources and programs are working. More than ever, we need our members of Congress to support the Inflation Reduction Act and reject any attempts to repeal it.”

According to the IRS, the $1 billion recovered is part of a crackdown on 1,600 individuals with incomes over $1 million per year who owed more than $250,000. Additionally, the IRS has increased enforcement on large corporations and partnerships, as well as personal use of private jets owned by large corporations. 

Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden opposed the Inflation Reduction Act and Congressman Bryan Steil voted against the law. In one of their first votes of the 118th Congress, Van Orden and Steil both voted to repeal this funding to hold tax cheats accountable, and have since taken multiple votes to remove this and other provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.