Many of our clients have reported that persons representing themselves as the IRS call on the phone and ask for money. In many cases they seem to know a great deal about you when they call.

A key characteristic is that they will tell you that the sheriff or other law enforcement agent will come to your door in a few days to either collect the money or arrest you.

This is not how the IRS works. The IRS will send you a letter notifying you of an audit, asking questions about a return or sending you a bill. Their first contact will not be by telephone.

 

What to do if you are contacted?

· First do not send them money.

· You can take down call back numbers, names and IRS employee identification numbers (if they will provide them) but don’t stay on the phone with  them.

· Then contact your tax professional.