The IRS does not collect all of the taxes that it is owed

Annual Average, Billions of $

$2,087
$344
$2,308
$380
$2,879
$428
$3,164
$480
2008-2010
2011-2013
2014-2016
2017-2019
Source: Internal Revenue ServiceEmbed Download image
Notes: The net tax gap is defined as the amount of true tax liability that is not paid on time and is not collected subsequently, either voluntarily or as the result of enforcement activities. Data for each 3-year band reflect estimated average compliance rates and associated tax gaps covering three tax years. 2017-2019 data are partially projected.