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Internal Revenue Service

Scam Alert: There has been a significant increase in the number of telephone scams in which individuals who claim to be IRS agents call taxpayers and demand immediate payment, often threatening arrest or lawsuits. These calls are fraudulent and are designed to scare you into making a payment over the phone. If you receive a call like this, do not provide any personal or credit card information. Make a note of the incoming phone number and report the scam to the Department of the Treasury.

No federal agency, including the IRS, will call you demanding immediate payment or personal information. If the IRS or any federal agency believes that you owe taxes, you will receive written notice mailed to your home.

Check out the information below to keep yourself, and your personal information, safe.

Always remember, the IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never:

  1. Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. All tax payments should only be made payable to the U.S. Treasury and checks should never be made payable to third parties.

  2. Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.

  3. Demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.

  4. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

If you know you owe, or think you may owe taxes:

  • Call the IRS at (800) 829-1040. IRS workers can help you.

To report a scam, hang up immediately-then:

  • Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report the call. Or use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” webpage. You can also call (800) 366-4484.

I also want to warn you against a new scam, where scammers are now telling people over the phone they were mailed certified notices that were returned because the scammers recognize we are telling taxpayers that the IRS will not call before mailing letters. During the call, the scammer threatens arrest. Please know that the first contact you receive from the IRS will not be through a random, threatening phone call. Check out this full press release for the details.

The IRS website is a valuable source of information and can often provide answers to many basic questions. Below is a sampling of the most frequent questions that I receive:

Where can I get IRS forms?

There are two ways that you can obtain tax forms and instructions from the IRS:

  1. You can download and print the forms and instructions through Forms & Instructions | Internal Revenue Service. 

  2. You can request that tax forms and instructions be mailed to you by completing the online order form or by calling the IRS at +1 (800) 829-3676 or +1 (800) 829-4059 for the hearing impaired.

Helpful links:

Request a tax transcript

Check the status of my refund

Make a tax payment

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC)

Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers | Internal Revenue Service 

  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) – offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS – certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electron filing to qualified individuals.

  • Tax Counsel for the Elderly (TCE) – offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. 

Who can I talk to about problems like liens, back taxes, penalties, etc.?

  • Call the Taxpayer Advocate 24-Hour Toll-Free Hotline: +1 (877) 777-4778.

  • Call the IRS Customer Service Line: +1 (800) 829-1040 (for individuals) or +1 (800) 829-4933 (businesses).

  • Schedule an appointment by phone at +1 (844) 545-5640.

My staff is always available to assist you with issues that you may be experiencing with the IRS. If you cannot find the answer to your questions through these links or would like my office to contact the IRS on your behalf, please complete my privacy release form. My staff will be happy to provide you with all possible assistance.

Casework is handled in my district offices and is assigned according to location.