Generally, calls from the IRS are rare, but there are some circumstances where you might hear from them. Unfortunately, there are also known scams where individuals are contacted by someone pretending to be the IRS. We’re here to help you identify and avoid these scams, as well as how to handle one if it happens to you.
Does the IRS call you?
Calls from the IRS are rare. You’ll be notified ahead of time by mail if the IRS is going to call you. This letter will typically include the reason why they are contacting you, the name and phone number of the IRS employee, and instructions on what to expect during the call.
Why would the IRS call me?
Typically, the IRS will only call you if you owe a significant amount of back taxes or if they field audit you. They might call you if you have not responded via mail, to confirm an appointment you’ve made with them, or they may visit your business or your tax preparer’s office to meet with you in the event of a more complicated audit.
Only four types of IRS employees would visit your business, and each carries official identification. Revenue agents handle audits and review financial records, and they would contact you by mail before showing up. Revenue officers manage collections, mailing notices and letters. They schedule in-person meetings to resolve unpaid taxes. Special agents from IRS Criminal Investigation investigate tax-related crimes. They may arrive unannounced but will never demand payment. Lastly, fuel inspectors visit regulated industry sites to ensure compliance with fuel tax laws.
Does the IRS call you back?
When you call the main IRS help number, an automated prompt may give you the option to hang up and receive a callback when an agent becomes available. This just helps avoid long hold times. However, if you’re already connected to an IRS agent and your call is disconnected unexpectedly, the IRS does not typically call you back. You’ll need to call in again and, if available, request a callback through the automated system once more.
What information will the IRS request over the phone?
When you speak with the IRS over the phone, they will ask for specific details to verify your identity and address your tax-related issue. Remember, the only time you should trust that a call is truly from the IRS is if you received a notice in advance. Once you are contacted directly, the IRS may ask you to provide the following information during a call:
- Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Date of birth
- Filing status
- Details from your prior-year tax return, such as your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or refund amount
- A copy of the specific return you’re calling about
- Routing/account numbers if you’re arranging direct-debit payments or installment agreements For more information on phone calls with the IRS, visit the IRS website.
How can I tell if an IRS call is a scam?
If you have not received a letter from the IRS prior to receiving a phone call, the call is probably fake.
You can always ask for credentials to test whether it is fake as well. If they are a real agent, they will be able to show you a Personal Identity Verification Credential (PIV).
The real IRS will not:
- Be hostile
- Call to ask for immediate payment in any form, especially gift card or wire transfer
- Demand payment without the opportunity to appeal the amount
- Ask for your credit card number over the phone
- Threaten to bring in law enforcement if you do not pay
- Threaten to take away your driver’s or business license or immigration status
- Claim to be from a “tax resolution unit” demanding immediate payment for tax debt – the caller’s phone number may be different each time you receive one of these spam calls.
How to handle IRS scam calls
The simple answer is to not speak back to them and to just hang up. They typically want money, so if you don’t engage, they can’t do anything to harm you.
You can always contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. Do not respond to the scammer directly. Here are some more options:
- Report a phone scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Go to FTC.gov and use the FTC Complaint Assistant. Make sure to note it is an IRS telephone scam.
- Report a phone scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam. Use the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting option or call 800-366-4484.
- Report an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS to phishing@irs.gov.
- If you don’t owe taxes, call or use the contact form for the TIGTA to report the incident. The number is 800-366-4484 or you can go online and use the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting option.
Can I call the IRS?
Yes, you can call the IRS directly, but it’s a good idea to refer to the IRS website before picking up the phone. There, you’ll find answers and resources to solve common inquiries, like questions about tax forms and laws, as well as your refund status. You can call the IRS if you have questions relating to your account, including:
- Questions about a notice you received in the mail
- Deadline extension requests
- Questions about your tax payoff amount
- Payment plan questions
- If the IRS Where’s My Refund tool tells you to call
- Questions about lost or incorrect documents
It’s worth noting that some complex questions cannot be answered over the phone. For help with these issues, visit the IRS website.
To speak with an IRS agent, call the main help line at 1-800-829-1040.
Tips to spot and avoid tax scams
The IRS won’t call you without sending you a notice by mail first, and they will never ask you to provide payment info urgently. If you realize that you’re reaching for your wallet to read off your credit card number over the phone, that should be a red flag.
Here are some other common scam tactics that you should be aware of:
- They threaten arrest, deportation or revocation of licenses
- They demand that you make a payment right now
- They tell you what method you have to use to pay
- They ask you to give credit or debit information over the phone
If you suspect that a scammer is contacting you, don’t answer. Block their phone number or email address and don’t engage further.
How should I pay the IRS if I really owe taxes?
If you have determined that the IRS is really contacting you to pay back taxes or other fees, the tax payments will only be to the U.S. Treasury.
The IRS offers several payment options directly through their website. And, if you need additional time to pay your tax bill, the IRS offers payment plans as well.
