The IRS contacts taxpayers in various ways, including by phone, mail, and in-person visits. However, scammers also often impersonate the IRS to try to get money or personal information from victims. It’s important for taxpayers to understand how the real IRS operates so they can identify any suspicious communications that may be IRS imposters.
The IRS Primarily Uses Mail for Legitimate Contacts
The IRS initiates most legitimate contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service. You will generally receive several written notices and letters from the IRS in the mail before receiving a phone call or personal visit.
So if you get a surprise call or visitor claiming to be the IRS, that should raise a red flag. Carefully verify the identity and credentials of anyone who contacts you claiming to be the IRS.
When the IRS Calls Taxpayers
There are some situations where the IRS will call taxpayers, but only after first attempting to notify them by mail:
- If you have an overdue tax bill
- If you have a delinquent (unfiled) tax return
- If you have not made required employment tax deposits
The IRS may also call if they need additional information while examining your tax return. But again, they will first send written notification of the audit. An auditor may then follow up via phone to discuss items related to the audit.
What About In-Person IRS Visits?
IRS agents do occasionally visit homes or businesses as part of audits, collection procedures, or criminal investigations. Types of IRS employees who make in-person visits include:
- Revenue Agents: Conduct tax audits and examinations
- Revenue Officers: Work on collection cases for unpaid taxes
- Criminal Investigators: Investigate potential criminal violations of tax law
Even during in-person visits, IRS employees should always provide valid government credentials, including a photo ID. You can verify their identity by examining the credentials closely.
Protect Yourself from IRS Impersonators
IRS impersonation scams frequently use threats or intimidation tactics to trick victims. A few things a scammer might do while pretending to be the IRS:
- Demand immediate payment over the phone and refuse to provide written documentation first
- Require a unusual form of payment like gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Threaten arrest or deportation if you don’t pay
- Say they will revoke government documents like a driver’s license
The IRS will never call to demand immediate payment without first mailing you a bill. They also won’t threaten extreme lawful actions right away. These tactics are common red flags of a scam.
How to Report Potential IRS Imposters
If you suspect an IRS impersonation scam, report it immediately:
- Report to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
- Forward scam IRS emails to phishing@irs.gov
- Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission
Following up quickly can help authorities stop scammers before they steal money or identities from additional victims. Stay vigilant about confirming identities and credentials before providing personal information over the phone or to an in-person visitor claiming to work for the IRS. Unless you first receive written notices in the mail, communicators purporting to be the IRS are likely fraudsters using intimidation tricks. Be prepared to validate IDs and credentials to ensure it’s really the tax authority contacting you.
