In a time of cybersecurity threats and long wait times, the IRS is improving how it contacts taxpayers. At the heart of this is ensuring the privacy and safety of personal information for all forms of IRS communication.
How the IRS Contacts Taxpayers
The IRS is working to educate taxpayers on how it contacts taxpayers and the steps it will and will not take when communicating with them.
In most cases, the first step taken by the IRS to contact taxpayers is an IRS notice or letter delivered through the U.S. Postal Service.
Generally, the IRS will send a letter or written notice to a taxpayer in advance of any in-person or phone contact, though that is not always the case. Occasionally the IRS will make a surprise visit to a taxpayer’s home or business. They may do this to discuss delinquent tax returns, back taxes owed to the IRS, or missed payroll tax payments.
They may, at that time, request payment to be made for what you owe the IRS. That payment request will only be to the U.S. Treasury and never to any other organization.
Any time the IRS does come to visit, they will have proper credentials which taxpayers should verify before they engage. All IRS representatives will have a Pocket Commission and Personal Identity Verification Credentials on them.
How the IRS Is Improving Communication with Taxpayers Through Taxpayer Digital Communications (TDC)
The IRS Is working to improve the experiences taxpayers have through innovative process changes. One of the tools it is using is Taxpayer Digital Communications (TDC), a way to enhance communications through digital channels.
The pandemic helped to accelerate the development of this IRS digital communication tool. TDC provides secure IRS communication solutions through a text chat function, secure messaging portal, and also offers outbound notifications that help to support taxpayers during challenging times.
Taxpayer Digital Communications secure messaging feature is a fully web-based way for the IRS Assistors and employees, as well as taxpayers with their representatives to share messages and necessary documents in a secure IRS portal.
Taxpayer Digital Communications chat, also confidential, allows for taxpayers to communicate with the IRS through typed messages online in real-time. The outbound notification component of Taxpayer Digital Communications is a web-based application that provides specific access to IRS notifications through an online account.
What the IRS Will Not Do When It Contacts Taxpayers
There are also numerous steps that will not be taken when it comes to how the IRS contacts taxpayers. For example, the IRS typically does not first contact taxpayers by email. In most cases, this will be an indication of fraud. Do not reply to these emails or click any links! Also, do not download attachments from such accounts.
The IRS also does not send text messages to a person’s phone. They also never use social media as a way to connect with taxpayers. Any communication in these forms is fraudulent and should be deleted.
It is possible to receive inaccurate and fake claims through the mail that seem to come from the IRS. However, the IRS will only request money be paid to the “U.S. Treasury.”
How to Report IRS Scams
It is possible that a person will receive a fraudulent email, text message, or letter from the IRS. Those sending these documents typically are hoping to receive a response from you that provides your name, address, social security number, and other sensitive information. They may also try to get you to send money to them. Avoid doing so.
Instead, report scams to the IRS directly by emailing [email protected]. You can also contact the Treasury Inspector General Administration and file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC offers a complaint assistant tool online to make this as easy as possible.
Taking these steps may help to reduce further risks to you or others.
How Can Wiztax Help?
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