Interna Revenue Service (IRS) scams have been occurring more and more frequently. Many have encountered individuals impersonating IRS officials in person, over the phone, or via email. It is important to understand how and when the IRS contacts taxpayers to avoid getting scammed. Our Tampa tax attorneys explain how the IRS might contact you to notify you about your tax debt.
How the IRS Will Contact You
When the IRS needs to contact a taxpayer, the first contact is typically with a letter delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS doesn’t initiate contact via email nor sends text messages. Depending on the situation, the IRS may first call or visit the taxpayer with or without warning. Below we have put together how the IRS might contact you depending on the circumstances:
Collection
When the IRS is trying to collect a tax debt, they might call or come to your home (or business) unannounced. They will never demand you to make immediate payments to a source other than the U.S. Treasury. Sometimes, the IRS will assign certain tax debt cases to private debt collectors; however, they will only do this after the taxpayer is appointed and receives a notice.
Audits
If the IRS is conducting an audit, the IRS may call taxpayers to set up appointments or to discuss the case, but they will only do this after notifying them by mail. After you receive a letter from the IRS, you can expect to receive a call from them to explain what will be expected of you for the tax audit.
What the IRS Doesn’t Do
The IRS will never call to demand immediate payment with a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer. The IRS will typically mail a bill to the taxpayer who owes tax debt. The IRS also won’t demand that you pay taxes without the opportunity to appeal the amount you owe. If you receive a call threatening to bring in local police or ICE to arrest you for not paying taxes, it is a scam. It is best to verify your case with the IRS office to ensure that an IRS impersonator isn’t calling you.
If you did receive a notice from the IRS about tax debt, our team at Law Offices of Darrin T. Mish, P.A. can help you. Call our team today at (813) 295-7648 to schedule a consultation!