Of course, and I agree with you on that point. My point from the get go and you should go back and re-read my posts, has been concerning phone calls from the IRS Offer in Compromise center in Memphis Tennessee.
They do not call without a Proposed compromise on their plate. But once one is there, they will indeed verify certain things via telephone to save time and speed up the process. Re-read my posts and you will see where I have state this. I have never denied any of the things that have been cut and pasted many times over about the IRS never initiates a call. That's is a given. MY whole point is that once the people in Memphis has your proposal, they will call you concerning certain aspects or corrections before it goes before those who make a decision. No offense intended.... Mine is the only point I make and it is a valid point.
This must be what Dave is ranting about:
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Offer-in-Compromise-1
"An offer in compromise allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. It may be a legitimate option if you can't pay your full tax liability, or doing so creates a financial hardship. We consider your unique set of facts and circumstances:
*Ability to pay;
*Income;
*Expenses; and
*Asset equity.
We generally approve an offer in compromise when the amount offered represents the most we can expect to collect within a reasonable period of time. Explore all other payment options before submitting an offer in compromise. The Offer in Compromise program is not for everyone. If you hire a tax professional to help you file an offer, be sure to check his or her qualifications."
Your premise would work except for the fact that several posters have said they could not get an answer on who was calling. If an entity cannot even say who they are/where they are calling from - i.e. "This is ___ calling from the IRS Offer Compromise Center, please call ____ at such and such number".... then it sounds more like a spoofed number/potential scammer, rather than a legitimate call.
I realize legitimate callers cannot leave sensitive information about a person, or the reason for the call. However, they should still say who they are and what entity they are with. Again, if people have previously contacted the IRS, they would be expecting a call. No one is saying the IRS WON'T call people who initiated contact with them first. Only that the phone calls are not the default mode of contacting someone out of the blue.
And you would be correct sir. Read further and there is much more information for those who wish to seek it out.
When you start out by posting to provide factual information and get dogpiled and bashed by others, one has a tendency to get a little pissed and rant. Yet, I challenge anyone to go to my post and disprove any part of what I have said. I have been through the process of Compromise for my son, and I have spent 5 months of going to the school of hard knocks on this. I do know what I am talking about. No, the IRS will not initiate contact with people over the phone, nor will they call for most any other tax issues....they do it by granny mail. Yes, when a case is in process and is pending with the Compromise people, they will in fact call when they need clarification and such. Yes, the Center for Compromise is located in Memphis Tennessee. These have been my only points. The rest is in defense of being called a liar.
I wasn't the one answering their calls. I was the one answering the calls that came here. My guess is that they deal with so many who may be hostile toward them and block them from talking to the person being called. That is only a guess. I can only relate to the contact that I have had for 5 months with them. The first time they called, The caller did not like saying I.R.S. I told them that until I knew who was calling, she would speak to no one. When she told me I.R.S. calling. I ask what was it in reference to. She hem-hauled around and said "I am following up on your offer of compromise" I told her that the offer was from my son and ask her name and for a call back number. I then googled for a number to call and then called the IRS.gov. and was given the return number of the Memphis center. I called it, went through the traditional gov. menu and hooked up with the agent.
Passed the phone to my son, then got on the extension. Her questions were along these lines: Has your financial situation changed in any way? Has your income changed in any way? Have you established or attempted to establish other resources for paying the back taxes? Also, the IRS does initiate contact first via USPS on claims of taxes owed or years not filed. That is how this thing got started with my son. That led to our phone calls to find out what was happening and how to rectify the situation. And yes, we were expecting to be contacted by the center. We were not expecting the first call and we verified through the call back method. I would get into another point when the compromise center will call, but I don't want to generate more posts on the subject. My only point is this: The IRS will call you under certain circumstances but never to collect or threaten or similar calls. They will notify you via usps initially for tax problems. If you don't respond, they will try to contact you or someone who may direct them to contact you. No they will not give out information when making these kinds of calls to protect the parson they are calling and prevent. This is why in some cases, I suspect, people get calls from them and they choose not to identify as IRS. I don't know. I simply know that Yes, there is a center for offers of compromise in Memphis Tennessee and they will call you when needed.