Don’t Fall for a Scam

How the IRS Contacts Taxpayers

Tax preparers should educate their clients on how the IRS communicates with them so they can recognize a scam when they see it. Initial contact from the IRS is normally by letter
or written notice delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to a taxpayer. However, depending on the situation, IRS employees may first call or visit with a taxpayer.

In some of these instances, the IRS will send a letter or written notice to a taxpayer in advance, but not always. Taxpayers can search IRS notices by visiting Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter on IRS.gov. Not all IRS notices are searchable on the site, and just
because someone references an IRS notice in an email, phone call, text or social media doesn’t mean the request is legitimate.

After mailing a notice, an IRS revenue agent or tax compliance officer may call a taxpayer or tax professional to confirm an appointment or to discuss items for a scheduled audit. IRS revenue officers and agents routinely make unannounced visits to a taxpayer’s home or place of business to discuss taxes owed, delinquent tax returns or a business falling behind on payroll tax deposits. IRS revenue officers will request payment of taxes owed by the taxpayer. However, taxpayers should remember that payment will never be requested to a source other than the U.S. Treasury.

When visited by someone from the IRS, taxpayers should always ask for credentials. IRS representatives can always provide two forms of official credentials: a pocket commission and a Personal Identity Verification Credential.
The IRS doesn’t normally initiate contact with taxpayers by email. Do not reply to an email from someone who claims to be from the IRS because the IRS email address could be spoofed or fake. Emails from IRS employees will end in IRS.gov. IRS agents do not send text messages or contact people through social media. Fraudsters will impersonate legitimate government agents and agencies on social media and try to initiate contact with taxpayers.
Private debt collectors can call taxpayers for the collection of certain outstanding inactive tax liabilities, but only after the taxpayer and their representative have received written notice. Private debt collection should not be confused with debt relief firms who will call, send lien notices via U.S. mail or email taxpayers with debt relief offers. Taxpayers should contact the
IRS regarding filing back taxes properly. For more information, visit:
www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayers-can-protect-themselves-from-scammers-by-knowing-how-the-irs-communicates