A letter that appears to be from the IRS may ask about a tax bill or an unclaimed refund, but scammers also use these subjects to seek money or information. Check what the letter asks you to do and any date it gives, then compare it with the IRS warning signs below.
What to have in front of you
- The letter and anything that came with it.
- The part that says what you are being asked to do.
- Any date shown for responding.
- Any web link printed in the letter.
- Any related messages you received by email or text.
Keep the details of the request in view as you review the letter. The IRS warns that impersonators try to look like the agency.
Look at what the letter is asking
The IRS says scammers may send an unexpected tax bill to trick someone into paying them. Impersonation mail may also mislead people about an unclaimed refund.
Read the request closely. Is it asking you to send money, personal information, financial information or employment information? The IRS says scammers may pressure people for these things.
An IRS warning about an unclaimed refund scam describes an unusual delivery service mailing that tried to trick people into sending photos and bank account information. A letter that raises a refund question is worth reading carefully, including any request for information.
You can compare the letter with the IRS information titled “Know how we contact you.” The letter itself can tell you what it asks and whether it gives a date.
Watch for pressure and threats
The IRS says impersonators may demand payment “now or else.” They may threaten arrest or deportation. They also may not let you question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
Pay attention to the language used in the letter or in any related message. A demand for immediate payment paired with a threat matches a warning sign the IRS describes.
The IRS also warns about people who pressure taxpayers to use a service to settle tax debt. They may promise to relieve the debt for “pennies-on-the-dollar” and rush people to pay for the service.
Check refund and credit claims
A letter or message may offer a large refund or describe a tax credit. The IRS says incorrect information about bigger refunds can mislead people about credits they can claim.
Aggressive advertising, mail and online material may encourage people to file an incorrect return. Some dishonest or uninformed tax preparers misrepresent credit rules and charge a large upfront fee or a fee based on the refund amount.
The IRS also warns about bad tax advice on social media. Some posts may encourage people to lie on tax forms or suggest that the IRS is keeping a credit secret. Social media posts may also put people in touch with scammers.
If a letter raises a question about a credit or refund, review what it says and consider discussing the question with a tax professional. The IRS advises choosing a tax professional carefully.
Look closely at links and related messages
The IRS says odd or misspelled web links can lead to harmful sites instead of IRS.gov. Compare any link in the letter with that warning.
If you also received an email or text about the matter, the IRS says impersonators may use those messages to seek money. Opening links and attachments may harm your computer.
Scammers may also claim to work for or on behalf of the IRS after a disaster. They may offer to “help” with casualty loss claims or promise big tax refunds.
Consider the options the IRS lists
If you are concerned that a letter or related message is a scam, the IRS lists “Report a tax scam or fraud.” It also lists “If you were scammed” and “Get identity theft help.”
If the letter concerns tax debt, the IRS says eligible taxpayers can settle tax debt directly with the agency through an offer in compromise. The letter and the IRS information about that option can help you understand what is being discussed. A tax professional can also discuss your situation with you.
If you are considering a tax preparer, the IRS warns against one who does not sign the return, falsifies tax information, puts your refund in their bank account, or requires cash payment or does not give you a receipt.
You can also paste the letter into the Clarify Help box on the home page to review what it says.
Where this comes from
IRS: “Tax scam warning signs”