When the IRS contacts you, their first form of communication is through the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS will NEVER initiate contact though email, social media or text messages.
Here are some additional ways the IRS will contact tax payers. It is important to be aware of these so you do not fall victim to an IRS-related scam.
- An IRS agent or tax compliance officer may call you after mailing a notice to confirm an appointment or discuss an item 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 (FDCPA).
All payments should be made to the U.S. Treasury. Taxpayers should never use a prepaid debit card or wire transfer to make a payment. Specific guidelines to make tax payments can be found at irs.gov/payments.
IRS employees will NEVER:
- Be hostile or insulting;
- Demand payment without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount;
- Require a specific payment method (i.e. – a prepaid debit card);
- Threaten lawsuits, arrest or deportation for not paying;
- Request credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
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 a scammer.
If you have any questions on this topic or are in a financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
Related Resources:
http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/business/20170806/how-do-you-know-when-irs-is-contacting-you