TRM Talks: IRS Fraud Fighters Talk Crypto

Eric Hylton is the commissioner of the Small Business/Self-Employed Division of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He was appointed to the position in September 2019. Mr. Hylton oversees taxpayer programs and services affecting the nation’s small business and self-employed individuals including the IRS's Fraud Enforcement Office (FEO). He is responsible for providing executive leadership and direction to a nationwide staff of approximately 20,000 employees responsible for service and enforcement programs for taxpayers who file personal, corporate, flow-through, employment, excise and estate and gift tax returns.

Prior to this position, Mr. Hylton served as the deputy chief, of IRS-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI). He assisted the chief of IRS-CI in directing worldwide programs for investigating potential criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code and related financial crimes in a manner that fosters confidence in the tax system and compliance with the law. Prior to his assignment as deputy chief, Mr. Hylton was the executive director, Office of International Operations for IRS-CI. Mr. Hylton began his career as an IRS-CI special agent and held increasingly responsible positions including assistant director in the IRS-CI Office of Narcotics and Counterterrorism; assistant special agent in charge of the WashingtonField Office; and special agent in charge of the Philadelphia Field Office.

Mr. Hylton completed the IRS Candidate Development Program in 2013. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from Morehouse College and is a native of Washington.

Carolyn A. Schenck is a 14-year veteran of the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Office of Chief Counsel where she is currently National Fraud Counsel and Assistant Division Counsel (International) in the Small Business/Self Employed Division. In her role as National Fraud Counsel, Carolyn works closely with the Fraud Enforcement Office (FEO) to provide advice and guidance on the IRS's efforts to detect and deter fraud. In her role as Assistant Division Counsel (International), Carolyn is responsible for coordination and management of all international and offshore tax and Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) matters.  Carolyn also provides guidance to and serves as the principal legal advisor and contact point on international and offshore tax and FBAR matters and works closely with IRS Treaty partners on cross-border matters.  Carolyn has litigated numerous cases in U.S. Tax Court and works with IRS special enforcement agents on cases involving fraud, foreign accounts, and foreign reporting penalties and assists the Department of Justice in cases involving criminal tax prosecutions, injunctions, summons enforcement, and abusive tax return preparers and promoters. Carolyn has been an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University School of Law for Honors Appellate Advocacy.