Know how and when the IRS contacts you so you can protect yourself from impersonators. Ways we contact you We typically contact you the first time through regular U.S. mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. To verify the IRS sent the letter or notice, you can search for it on IRS.gov. Some letters are sent from private collection agencies. Other ways we may contact you: Email - We email you only with your permission, with a few exceptions like criminal investigations. Text message - We text you only with your permission. Phone - We might call to discuss your case, verify information or set up a meeting. Fax - We might send a fax to verify or request employment information. In-person visit - These are rare. Find out how and when IRS employees visit you or your business. We generally send a letter before we visit. We don't: Contact you or take payment on social media. Get trusted tax information on our official social media accounts. Accept gift cards or prepaid debit cards as payment Threaten to call law enforcement or immigration officials Take your citizenship status, driver's license or business license Leave pre-recorded voicemails (robocalls) Mail tax debt resolution advertisements If we visit you Unannounced visits are rare. Only 4 types of IRS employees may visit your home or business. Each contacts you in specific ways and carries official identification (ID). Revenue agents – examinations (audits) Revenue agents are civilian employees who conduct examinations (audits). They review financial records to verify what you reported. They may meet you at an IRS office or visit your home, business or accountant's office. A visit may require a tour of your business or your authorized power of attorney. Before a visit: The agent contacts you by mail. After, they may call to discuss your audit. Third-party contacts: If the agent needs information from someone else (third party), they mail them a letter. The agent may then call them. Sometimes, the IRS issues a summons by mail or in person. Revenue officers – collections Revenue officers are civilian employees. They help resolve returns and taxes owed as part of the collection process. They tell you about your rights, obligations, options and consequences. Before a visit: The officer mails Letter 725-B or calls you to set up a visit. To confirm your appointment, call the phone number on your letter. They mail several notices and letters. They visit if multiple attempts to contact you are unanswered. During a visit: If you owe tax, you can pay the officer in cash or check, certified funds or money order payable to "United States Treasury." You can also pay online. Businesses: When you fall behind on employment tax, we send you a Federal Tax Deposit (FTD) alert. The officer: Calls before mailing a balance due notice Mails Letter 5857, FTD Alert Telephone Contact, with a call time. To confirm or reschedule, call the phone number on your letter. Sets up follow-ups, if needed Special agents – criminal investigations Criminal Investigation special agents are federal law enforcement agents in the IRS Criminal Investigation unit (IRS-CI). They're authorized to investigate tax and related crimes, like money laundering. They’re the only armed IRS employees. They may: Visit or call unannounced as part of an investigation Call others connected to an investigation Email you from a third-party platform They don't: Ask for personally identifiable information (PII) Work on civil tax cases Demand payment Fuel inspectors This is only for pervasively regulated industry sites (including refineries, terminals, wholesalers, retailers and end-users) where taxable fuel is produced or stored. IRS fuel inspectors: Visit unannounced for an interview and tour Gather your information Inform you on how to become and remain compliant with fuel tax laws Identification we carry Revenue officers, revenue agents and fuel inspectors carry an IRS-issued credential (pocket commission) and HSPD-12 card. Both have the employee’s serial number and photo. You can ask to see both. You may ask to see an additional ID from revenue agents and fuel inspectors. Fuel inspectors also wear uniforms and drive government vehicles. Criminal Investigation special agents present law enforcement credentials when they investigate. If you feel unsafe, call 911. If the person doesn't show you these IDs or you aren’t sure about them, call the number on the card provided by the revenue officer or agent. Related Recognize tax scams and fraud Report a tax scam or fraud Report phishing and online scams If you were scammed
