Tax Tip 2022-15, IRS

With the new tax season , the IRS reminds taxpayers to be aware that criminals continue to make aggressive calls posing as IRS agents in hopes of stealing taxpayer money or personal information.

Fraudsters Posing as Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

Some taxpayers receive emails that appear to be from the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel about a tax refund.  These emails are a phishing scam, trying to trick victims into providing personal and financial information.  Do not respond or click any link.  If you receive this scam, forward it to phishing@irs.gov and note that it seems to be a scam for your information.

This panel is a volunteer board that advises the IRS on systemic issues affecting taxpayers.  It never requests, and does not have access to, any taxpayer's personal and financial information.

THE IRS WILL NEVER:

- Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer.  Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to taxpayers that owe taxes.  

- Threaten to immediately bring local police to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.

-  Demand payment be made without giving the taxpayer the right to appeal.

-  Call unexpectedly about a tax refund.