I was called by a Ms. Sams from the IRS regarding a previous tax return. She said she would check my account and get back with me. She called back and said she couldn't access my account (???). She gave me an IRS # to call 800-829-1040. I called and the first thing the man told me was the IRS would never make a phone call and would never send an e-mail. They said it was a scam. I called Ms. Sams back and told her this and she got rather irate and somewhat threatening. Saying I had until March 6.
I got the same call about a previous tax return they did not have a copy of that they needed to process my Offer in Compromise. I faxed it to them and they completed processing my offer. I also asked if they didn't have a copy of this return had the IRS not received it since it had been over a year since I filed it. She referred me to the 1-800-829-1040 number for the IRS to verify with them. She said it was not showing up in her information along with my other returns and that this was needed to complete my offer.
PJ, you were told wrong. The IRS does in fact use the telephone to make contact with people who owe back taxes and people who may provide information as to their whereabouts. They will not discuss any details until they are certain that they have the person on the line that they want. The IRS will never solicit or demand payment over the phone or call for any other reason that can be handled normally over the phone. This number is from the IRS Compromise center in Tennessee.
When people are behind on Taxes and submit a form 656 in Compromise, it eventually ends up at this IRS center for the final settlement. They will call you. They will not demand money. Also, they will already have the information you previously submitted on form 656, to discuss your offer in compromise and there is no doubt who it is. The number that they give you, once they know that they have made contact, is a toll free number that will take you into the government menu at the Compromise center and get you to the agent handling the call. I know....I have been there and done that. The only information that they will ask for pertains to your current job status or any changes to be made to the 656 before it goes before the committee who settles. If there is changes in your living status, you will be faxed a copy of a 656 modification form to read, sign and fax back. If you still don't believe it is the IRS for real, dial the call back number 1-866-790-7117 and listen to the menu. Or, call the IRS number in your phone book and ask for information concerning this caller, they number, and the call back number. I did....and although I knew it was concerning my offer in compromise, I still wanted proof. If this number is calling you, you'd better at least take the time to check it out before writing it off as a scam.. Verify....
Also, one more thing. I did receive a letter from the IRS about a week later with the compromise settlement which included an obligation to file each and every year for the next 5 years or the offer could be recinded. The check was to be made out to "US Treasury Dept, Internal Revenue Service". The Address to be mailed was to the IRS, at the actual for real address in Sacramento, Calif. The cancelled check was endorsed by the US gov.