Internal Revenue Service collection agents have a strict set of operating guidelines called the Internal Revenue Manual. These guidelines dictate that before any involuntary collections can take place, every taxpayer is entitled to specific due process rights. These rights include notice to the taxpayer and an opportunity to respond. Moreover, criminal prosecutions are very uncommon. You should never give payment information, credit card information, recently iTunes and/or other gift cards, or any other personal information unless you are confident you are speaking with a government agent. To that end, you should always ask for their credentials and their employee identification number. If you are not confident, contact an Enrolled Agent for a free consultation to determine if it is scam or a serious inquiry from the taxing authorities.
Worse, these scams often target the elderly and individuals who have fallen behind on tax payments due to financial hardship. Capstone Tax Consulting, Inc. can usually stop these dangerous phone calls with aggressive tactics. If these calls persist, the IRS has a website that allows for us to report these phone numbers to the United States Treasury. In many circumstances these phone numbers will be disconnected and the calls will be halted. However, due to many of these scams taking place in foreign countries, the perpetrators will simply change phone numbers.
If you choose Capstone Tax Consulting, Inc. to represent you or your business, you can always rest assured that a licensed representative enrolled and authorized to practice before the Internal Revenue Service will be able to contact these scam-artists on your behalf. Further, you will have a team advocating for you with the actual taxing authorities, so you will know that any calls to you are scams because our power of attorney will preclude any government agent contacting you directly. If the individual who contacts you happens to be a government agent, your Enrolled Agent at Capstone Tax Consulting will know the difference. Mention this blog and I can take on your case personally.
Sometimes our clients have reported receiving automated calls (or “robo-calls”.) Rest assured that the IRS does not use this method to contact delinquent taxpayers to demand payment. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us for a free consultation and/or free advice.