Dear Action Line: I received a mailing from the IRS and wonder if this is typical. I thought all such notices came by email. Should I call the Tulsa IRS on this? - B.N., Tulsa
The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email for any purpose, and certainly not to request personal or financial information (including text messages, social media, etc.). All official Internal Revenue Service notices arrive by U.S. Postal Service under special government mail metering.
The IRS does not request detailed personal information by email or send communication requesting your personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.
All unsolicited email claiming to be from either the IRS or any other IRS-related components, such as the Office of Professional Responsibility or EFTPS, should be reported to
phishing@irs.gov.
Real IRS notices: There is no need for you to call or visit an IRS office to answer most real IRS notices. If you have questions, call the telephone number in the upper right corner of the notice and have a copy of your tax return and the notice available. Each year the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers. Many are easy to resolve.
Specific issue: There are many reasons the IRS sends notices to taxpayers. The notice usually covers a specific issue about your account or tax return. It may request payment of taxes, notify you of changes to your account or ask for additional information.
Corrections: If you receive a notice about a tax return correction, review it carefully. Compare the information in the notice to the entries on your tax return. If you agree with the correction, you usually don't need to reply unless a payment is due. If you don't agree, you can respond as requested.
Respond in writing: Respond to the IRS in writing to explain your disagreement. Include documents and information the IRS must consider, along with the bottom tear-off portion of the notice. Mail the information to the IRS address on the lower left corner of the notice. Allow at least 30 days for a response from the IRS.
Copies: Keep copies of correspondence with your tax records. For more information about IRS notices and requests for payment, see IRS "Publication 594, The IRS Collection Process" at
tulsaworld.com/irspub594 For information about penalties and interest charges, see "Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals," also available at 800-829-3676.
For more info on this, see "Understanding your IRS notice or letter" at
tulsaworld.com/irsnoticeorletter
Submit Action Line questions by calling 918-699-8888, emailing
phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com or by mailing them to Tulsa World Action Line, PO Box 1770, Tulsa OK 74102-1770.
Original Print Headline: Any IRS contact will be by snail-mail, not email
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Dear Action Line: College-bound students should be warned that not all identity thieves call from the Far East - many are the kids down the hall.
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