How to know it’s really the

IRS calling or knocking on your door 

Many taxpayers have encountered individuals impersonating IRS officials – in person, over the telephone and via email. Don’t get scammed. We want you to understand how and when the IRS contacts taxpayers and help you determine whether a contact you may have received is truly from an IRS employee. 
 
The IRS initiates most contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service. 
 
However, there are special circumstances in which the IRS will call or come to a home or business, such as when a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill, to secure a delinquent tax return or a delinquent employment tax payment, or to tour a business as part of an audit or during criminal investigations. 
 
Even then, taxpayers will generally first receive several letters (called “notices”) from the IRS in the mail. 
 
 
Know Who to Contact 
 
Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can also call 800-366-4484. 
 
Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the "FTC Complaint Assistant" web page.  
 
Report an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, or an IRS-related component like the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov