How To Tell If Your IRS Notice Is For Real?

There are few letters which can arrive in the mail that make your stomach turn like an IRS notice. Unfortunately, scammers have figured out how to take advantage of this socially inherent fear by sending fake letters claiming to be from the IRS because they know they will get people’s attention.

Since the IRS does not send out letters or notices that contain threatening language, it is important that you verify that the documents you receive are from the agency. Doing so will allow you to protect yourself from identity theft.

Here’s what you need to know about how to tell if your IRS notice or letter is real:

The IRS logo is featured prominently in most of its letters, and it usually appears in the top left corner. The letter also includes various pieces of information that can be used to identify you, such as your Social Security number and tax balance.

The letter also includes a section that explains your rights as a taxpayer. The IRS will also provide a toll-free number that you can call to get more information. However, if you call the number, the agent will never ask you for personal information.

There Are Visible Signs To Consider

• Almost always, you will spot spelling and grammatical errors.
• In all of the best efforts scammers put into replicating these letters, they almost always forget to include the IRS logo.
• The letter usually references a tax return you never filed.
• The letter threatens jail time if you don’t respond. The IRS does not ever include this type of language in the letter. This behavior is also perpetuated in spam auto dialed calls. Hang up immediately.
• The letter will ask you to remit payment in the form of a gift card or prepaid debit/credit card. This should be a huge red flag.
• The letter will not arrive in a government envelope stamped with the IRS logo and most likely will arrive in a generic envelope with standard black print with a third party logo or not logo at all.

If at any point you have any questions regarding any notice you receive, you can contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to verify the legitimacy of a notice or letter that you received. You can also check the letter’s authenticity by visiting irs.gov.

If indeed this letter is discovered to be of a fraudulent nature & to prevent this happening to anyone else, we highly recommend you contact the Treasury Inspector General for the IRS by visiting the irs.gov and their you will a link to report suspected fake IRS letters and notices.

What Do You Do If The Letter Is Real?

First, take a deep breath and realize help is just a call away. Todd Babbitt & our tax professional team here at Babbitt Tax Law can help.

We will handle everything for you, from talking to the IRS, to contacting your bank or employment about the levies and garnishments. You are not alone! We can give you peace of mind so you can get your life back on track.

Call today or Contact Us Online to find out what your rights are, what options are out there and let us form a plan together!