The Internal Revenue Service can send agents to your home or business unannounced. The incidence of this is on the rise.
But how can you determine if that person visiting your home or place of business is legitimate or an impostor?
The answer is there is no way for you to be 100% sure. Impostors today are very sophisticated and are ready to fool even the most intelligent citizen. They may have what seem to be official IRS credentials.
Many taxpayers are frightened, and rightfully so, when faced with such a visit, bogus or not.
So what should you do if you are visited?
You should immediately state that you are represented in all tax matters by Chris Whalen, CPA, and that they will need to talk me directly on your behalf. Give them my number, 732-673-0510, politely ask them to leave your front step or office entrance, and call me immediately.
You have the right, at all times, to be represented by a CPA, and have my firm be the liaison with them.
Visits typically fall into three categories:
IRS revenue officers will sometimes make unannounced visits to a taxpayer’s home or place of business to discuss taxes owed or tax returns due. Revenue officers are IRS civil enforcement employees whose role involves education, investigation, and when necessary, appropriate enforcement.
IRS revenue agents will sometimes visit a taxpayer who is being audited. That taxpayer would have first been notified by mail about the audit and set an agreed-upon appointment time with the revenue agent. Also, after mailing an initial appointment letter to a taxpayer, an auditor may call to confirm and discuss items pertaining to the scheduled audit appointment.
IRS criminal investigators may visit a taxpayer’s home or place of business unannounced while conducting an investigation. However, these are federal law enforcement agents, and they will not demand any sort of payment. Criminal investigators also carry law enforcement credentials, including a badge.
If you owe taxes – or think you do – stay alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure. Tax scams can happen any time of year, not just at tax time. For more information on scams, please read these other memos from my website. Click on the names to open them.
Memo – The IRS Will NOT Call You! Scam Phone Calls Are on The Rise!
Tax Memo – IRS Now Using Private Debt Collectors Sometimes
Tax Memo – Beware of Fake IRS Tax Bill Notices
Memo – FAKE NEWS! (well, fake tax news)
Taxpayers have a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore these rights and the agency’s obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.
Remember, if an IRS agent knocks on your door, turn them right around and tell them to knock on mine.
Click here to request a consultation or ask me a question.
Please reach out to me without hesitation with any tax, business or accounting question, and to schedule a consultation.
Tax Laws are complex.
It is very easy to make mistakes that can incur penalties.
Do you have a Tax, Accounting or Business Question?
Is your CPA or Attorney ignoring you?
Call Me Immediately. (732) 673-0510.
Remember,
“If We Aren’t Working For You, Then You Aren’t Working At Your Best”
Chris Whalen, CPA
(732) 673-0510
79 Oak Hill Road
Red Bank, NJ 07701
www.chriswhalencpa.com
#IRS #cpa #taxes #irsaudit
