There is a widespread IRS (or CRA) or "tax scam" being practiced by scammers on both USA and Canadian residents.
USA tax payers should read this:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Phone-Scams-C ... 5-Filing-Season
Canadian tax payers should read this:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/lrts/2013/l131210-eng.html
Short answer:
The IRS never initiates a contact via phone.
They always send a snailmail first.
Educational post:
This scam is also described as scam #11, here:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts.html
If you were contacted by an IRS impostor, you may file a report, after clicking on this link:
http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
US taxpayers - click on the Spoiler button, below, for more information and updates on this scam:
Show spoilerUPDATES:
Recent news story:
http://www.wltx.com/story/money/2015/03/12/fa ... -scam/70202814/
Congressional hearing:
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/taxes/tax-imp ... hearing-n341906