Is it really the IRS?
A lot of taxpayers have encountered phony IRS officials through email, on the telephone and in person. Contacts from the IRS are usually initiated through the United States Postal Service. There are certain occasions that cause the IRS to come to a business or home. This includes delinquent tax returns or payments, overdue tax bills, criminal investigations and touring a business for an audit. The IRS will never demand a specific method of payment including debit cards, wire transfers or gift cards or an immediate payment. Any taxpayer owing taxes to the IRS will be sent a bill in the mail. The IRS will provide the opportunity to appeal or question the amount of taxes they have stated are owed. The IRS will not bring in law enforcement, immigration authorities or the local police for not paying taxes. They will not revoke immigration status, business licenses or a driver’s license. These tactics are used by IRS impersonators to trick their victims.
Is this a visit from a real IRS representative?
Taxpayers are instructed by the IRS to make their payments directly to the United States Treasury. The IRS has very specific guidelines. If you receive a visit from an IRS representative they will always show you two forms of credentials. These are an official HSPD-12 card and a pocket commission. Federal contractors and employees use the HSPD-12 as a governmental standard for reliable and secure identification. You are entitled to view these credentials. If you want to verify the information contained on the HSPD-12 card you will be given a phone number dedicated to the IRS. This will enable you to confirm and verify the identity of the individual presenting the identification.
IRS Collection
The employees of IRS collection may come unannounced to a business or home to collect a tax related debt. They will not demand immediate payment to anyone other than the U.S. Treasury. Private debt collectors can only be assigned by written notice to the taxpayer. Private collection agencies do not ask anyone to use a gift cars or prepaid debit card to make their payment. IRS payment options are available by visiting IRS.gov/payments. When making a payment using a check it should be made payable to the U.S. Treasury. This check should be mailed to the IRS and not a private collection agency.
Audits
An IRS employee may call a taxpayer when conducting an audit to discuss items or set a time for an appointment. The IRS employee will first attempt to contact the taxpayer through the mail. Once the official audit notification has been mailed the auditor may call the taxpayer to discuss the audit or any pertaining items.
Criminal Investigations
When an investigation is being conducted regarding an IRS criminal investigation the taxpayers home may be visited unannounced. These visits are made by federal law enforcement and no payment will be demanded.
The Impersonations
Scams occur on the telephone and through emails and letters. IRS impersonators will use bullying tactics, intimidation and threats to force people into paying a phony tax bill.
Read more about the IRS Impersonation Scam - How the Scam works and how you can report those scammers and Pay your tax debts safely