With all of the scams going around these days, how do you know if it’s really the IRS who contacted you? According to the IRS, these are the ways they will contact you and communicate with you.
Initial Contact
Almost every initial contact from the IRS is by mail from the U.S. Postal Service.
Other Ways
- Email – only with your permission, with a few exceptions like criminal investigations.
- Text message – Only with your permission.
- Phone – The IRS may call you to address account matters. In some cases, they use automated messages that direct you to IRS.gov to securely manage your account, make payments or resolve an issue. The messages don’t share specific details.
- Fax – The IRS might send a fax to verify or request employment information.
- In-person visit – These are rare. They generally send a letter before they visit.
The IRS Does Not Do This
- Direct message or take payment on social media.
- Accept gift cards or prepaid debit cards as payment
- Call with automated messages that threaten or direct to websites that aren’t IRS.gov
- Threaten to call law enforcement or immigration officials
- Take your citizenship status, driver’s license or business license
- Mail tax debt resolution advertisements
When in doubt, contact your CPA or other tax professional to make sure it’s the IRS and if so, how to handle the matter.
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