Here’s what you should know in order to avoid falling for the fake trap set by potential scammers who claim they are from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):

  • When requesting information, the IRS would never initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels.
  • Enforcement action is not used as a threat by the IRS; this includes lawsuits or imprisonment.
  • The IRS does not aggressively approach the conversation on the phone, whereas scammers are typically persistent and malicious regarding your IRS tax problems.
  • Scammers demand payment via debit or wire transfer, but the IRS would mail a bill to notify taxpayers who owe taxes.
  • The IRS will not bring in local police, immigration officers or other law-enforcement to have you arrested.
  • In the event of an IRS visit, two forms of identification must be provided by the representative to prove their credentials.
  • Payments must only be sent to United States Treasury.

Make a constant effort to protect yourself by protecting your data. It is also important to know that your rights are as follows, detailed by the IRS here.

  • Be Informed
  • Quality Service
  • Pay No More than the Correct Amount of Tax
  • Challenge the IRS’s Position and Be Heard
  • Appeal an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum
  • Finality
  • Privacy
  • Confidentiality
  • Retain Representation
  • Fair and Just Tax System

We urge you to be on the lookout and address confusions with IRS officials, as always the Tax Defense Partners is here to help!