Verify contact information
All IRS phone numbers and website addresses should match those on the IRS.gov website, and a specific notice number or reference code may be at the top or bottom of the letter. Don't hesitate to reach out to the IRS directly if you're unsure.
Tax audit letters will include your name, tax ID number or Social Security number, employee ID number, address and contact information. Typically, an IRS audit letter will call out that your tax return from a certain year has been flagged for examination.
To get details on an IRS notice or letter, search for it by number or topic. You can find the CP number and subject under the “Notices and Letters” section of your online account. If you couldn't find what you're looking for, let us help you.
All U.S. Treasury checks are printed on watermarked paper. When held up to the light, the watermark reads “U.S. Treasury” from both the front and the back. Any check should be suspected as counterfeit if the check has no watermark, or the watermark is visible without holding the check up to light.
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.
Find out why you received a check from the government
You can look up the authorizing agency directly and contact them to find out why they sent the payment. If you do not know which agency authorized the payment, call the Bureau of the Fiscal Service Call Center at 1-855-868-0151.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send a notice or a letter for any number of reasons. It may be about a specific issue on your federal tax return or account, or may tell you about changes to your account, ask you for more information, or request a payment.
Should your account be selected for audit, we will notify you by mail. We won't initiate an audit by telephone. Assistance is available to help you understand the letter/notice received: Understanding your IRS notice or letter.
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A correspondence audit is handled via letters, often asking for documents or clarifications on deductions. An office audit requires an in-person interview with the IRS. A field audit means an IRS agent may visit your home, business, or accountant's office for a more in-depth review.
Identifying a fake 1099 form
Incorrect information: Check that the information on the form, such as name, address, and Social Security number, is accurate. If any of this information is incorrect or incomplete, it could be a sign that the form is fake.
The IRS will issue these balance due notices and letters in gradual stages in 2024 to ensure taxpayers who have questions or need help are able to reach an IRS assistor. This will also provide additional time for tax professionals assisting taxpayers.
Recently the IRS began sending Intent to Levy notices, including Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP) notices. The FPLP is an automated process the IRS uses to systemically levy federal payments owed to taxpayers, including Social Security benefits. No matter what kind of collection notice you receive, don't ignore it!
Notices should not have typos, bad grammar, a mixture of fonts or other errors. Poor grammar and mistakes are a red flag it's not the real IRS. Specific Information: Real IRS letters will contain specific information like your Social Security Number, individual taxpayer identification number or IRS account number.
When you receive an IRS audit letter, it will clearly list your full name, taxpayer/SS ID number, form number, IRS employee ID number, and IRS contact information. This letter should clearly identify the primary reason for the audit and what documents you will be expected to provide.
If you refuse or don't provide them by the IRS deadline, the IRS can summons the records directly from your bank or financial institution.
The IRS and authorized private debt collection agencies do send letters by mail. Taxpayers can also view digital copies of select IRS notices by logging into their IRS Online Account.
Overestimating home office expenses and charitable contributions are red flags to auditors. Simple math mistakes and failing to sign a tax return can trigger an audit and incur penalties. Taxpayers should report all income from Form W-2, Form 1099, and any cash earnings.
If we take money from a federal payment to pay an overdue debt that you owe, you will get a letter notifying you of the offset.
Authenticate the check – (1) call the issuing bank to verify the account; and (2) call the issuer to verify that the check is real (using phone numbers from an independent source, not just what is printed on the check).
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Some people received refund checks from the IRS even though they were told they owed them money. Is it simply just a nice surprise or a mistake? One tax expert says it could be the result of an error in completing the return, so the IRS corrected it and sent a refund.