When the IRS needs to contact a taxpayer, the first contact is normally by
letter delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS doesn't normally initiate
contact with taxpayers by email, nor does it send text messages or contact
through social media channels.
Depending on the situation, IRS employees may first call or visit with a
taxpayer. In some instances, advance notice is provided in writing via a letter
or notice, but not always.
IRS Phone Calls
- IRS revenue officers
work directly with taxpayers to educate them about their options to
resolve delinquencies and to collect delinquent taxes and tax returns,
while protecting taxpayers' rights.
- IRS revenue agents or
tax compliance officers may call a taxpayer or tax professional after
mailing a notice to confirm an appointment or to discuss items for a
scheduled audit.
- Private debt collectors
can call taxpayers for the collection of certain outstanding inactive tax
liabilities but only after the taxpayer and their representative has
received written notice. Private
debt collectors for the IRS must respect taxpayers' rights and abide
by the consumer protection provisions of the Fair Debt Collection
Practices Act.
IRS Visits
- IRS revenue officers
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, payment will never be
requested to a source other than the US Treasury.
- IRS revenue agents
usually visit taxpayers or tax professionals to conduct the audit after
either mailing a notice and/or agreeing on the day and time. IRS revenue
agents will sometimes make unannounced visits to a taxpayer’s home or
place of business to discuss a tax matter.
- IRS criminal
investigators are federal law enforcement agents who may visit a
taxpayer’s home or place of business unannounced while conducting an
investigation. They will not demand any sort of payment.
Ask For Credentials
IRS representatives can always provide two forms of official credentials: a
pocket commission and a Personal
Identity Verification Credential (PIV). Pocket commissions describe the
specific authority and responsibilities of the authorized holder. The PIV is a
government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification for
federal employees and contractors. Criminal investigators also have a badge and
law enforcement credentials.
Paying Taxes
All tax payments are to the U.S. Treasury. Taxpayers should never use a
preloaded debit card or wire transfer to make a payment. The IRS provides
specific guidelines on how to make a tax payment at irs.gov/payments.
IRS employees and contractors will never:
- Be hostile or insulting
- Demand payment without
giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount
- Require a specific
payment method, such as a prepaid debit card
- Threaten lawsuits,
arrest, deportation or other action for not paying
- Ask for credit or debit
card numbers over the phone.
Avoid scams. The IRS never initiates contact using social media or text
messages. First contact generally comes in the mail. A special page on
IRS.gov, “How
to know it’s really the IRS calling or knocking on your door,”
helps taxpayers determine if a person claiming to be from the IRS is legitimate
or an imposter.
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