Mr. Birkenfeld's award is an inspiration to anyone thinking of turning in a tax cheat.
Mr. Birkenfeld, who was a private banker at UBS, was convicted of conspiring to help a billionaire hide money in UBS accounts.
Birkenfeld also served prison time for fraud conspiracy in the same case.
It is interesting to contemplate the potential fallout from such a result in an even moderately high-profile SEC whistleblower case in a post-Birkenfeld world.
FORBES: Would $104 Million IRS Whistleblower Get Stiffed Under Dodd-Frank?
But in 2009, Mr. Birkenfeld filed a claim with the IRS and stood to get up to 30% of revenue recovered with his information.
FORBES: UBS' Bradley Birkenfeld Gets $104 Million, Blows Doors Off IRS Whistleblower Program
Bradley Birkenfeld is said to have exposed tax evasion at UBS AG, a prominent Swiss bank, passing details to the US officials probing the bank.
Experts say Mr. Birkenfeld's involvement in UBS's activities will likely lower his award for turning in the big bank, but Mr. Zerbe says he believes he will receive one.
Post-Birkenfeld, there will be many more disappointed whistleblowers.
FORBES: What If IRS Doesn't Pursue Your Whistleblower Claim?
Grassley has publicly praised the Birkenfeld award.
FORBES: Would $104 Million IRS Whistleblower Get Stiffed Under Dodd-Frank?
"The IRS today sent 104 million messages to whistle-blowers around the world - that there is now a safe and secure way to report tax fraud and that the IRS is now paying awards, " Birkenfeld's lawyers, Stephen Kohn and Dean Zerbe, said in a statement provided to the Associated Press.
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