> But the real question is why they don't do the same for tax evasion?
Who says they don't?
If I had to guess, I would say the magnitude of the problem is just more complex. The tax system is more complicated and impacts more people.
They did attempt to change the law to give the tax agency more similar powers[1]. Last I checked, it was rejected due to public outcry[2]. I do not expect this to be the last attempt.
"Congress asked the IRS to report on why it audits the poor more than the affluent. Its response is that it doesn’t have enough money and people to audit the wealthy properly. So it’s not going to."
Here in the US, they don't. https://www.propublica.org/article/irs-sorry-but-its-just-ea...
"Congress asked the IRS to report on why it audits the poor more than the affluent. Its response is that it doesn’t have enough money and people to audit the wealthy properly. So it’s not going to."