To keep from becoming a victim during tax season you have to know whats happening. Dealing with the IRS is rarely fun. So you need to know what to do when you hear from them. Most importantly you need to know how the IRS makes contact. Here’s a hint, they don’t email or call to demand payment.
Let me make this perfectly clear to you; there are things the IRS will definitely not do. Here a few facts you need to understand;
- The IRS does not come to your door and demand immediate payment.
- The IRS does not threaten to report you to the cops or the immigration authorities.
- The IRS does not initiate any sort of communication through email.
- The IRS does not demand that you pay taxes without providing you an opportunity to question or appeal the amount the IRS claims you owe.
- The IRS does not require that you use a specific payment type for taxes owed, such as a prepaid debit card.
- The IRS does not ask for your credit or debit card number over the phone.
- The IRS does not threaten to arrest you if you don’t pay your tax bill.
- The IRS does not threaten to suspend or revoke your driver’s or business license if you don’t pay your taxes.
- The IRS does not ask you to update your IRS e-file or to provide personal and/or financial information by clicking on a link contained in an email or text.
- The IRS does not inform you by phone or email of an upcoming IRS audit.
- The IRS does not ask you (via phone or email) to verify or provide your Social Security Number, bank account number(s), PINs or passwords, or other personal/financial information so they can process your return.
Keep that list handy because these are all the ways the scammers will operate. It is not uncommon for them to attempt to intimidate you using any of these methods so being aware is vitally important. Remember that if anyone claiming to be the IRS contacts you you should be the one asking the questions until you are satisfied they are who they say the are.
Now you know.