What actually happens when the IRS decides to investigate? How do agents think, prioritize, and build cases? For most advisors, that world is a mystery. For Robert Norlander, it was daily life.
How IRS Special Agents Think When They Review a Case
His background as an IRS Senior Special Agent gives him a unique vantage point on tax enforcement and financial crime. He understands which patterns trigger deeper reviews, what good documentation looks like in court, and how seemingly small details can change the story entirely.
From an enforcement standpoint, it’s rarely one major issue that creates exposure. It’s usually a pattern: inconsistencies, weak documentation, or strategies that don’t align with reported behavior over time.
Understanding this mindset helps advisors anticipate how strategies may be interpreted under review.
For a tax‑first advisor, this knowledge is gold. It helps you design strategies that pursue legitimate advantages without straying into territory that regulators see as abusive, poorly substantiated, or outright suspicious.
How IRS Insight Improves Advisor Decision-Making
When advisors understand how cases are evaluated, they can:
- Strengthen documentation standards
- Avoid aggressive interpretations of tax law
- Build strategies that withstand scrutiny
This doesn’t limit planning—it makes it more durable.
If you want to build tax strategies your clients can defend with confidence, come hear Robert Norlander at the 2026 Summit and learn from someone who’s been on the other side of the table.
