IRS Reminds Taxpayers of Common Scams

As the 2017 tax filing season unfolds, the IRS is reminding taxpayers about phishing and phone scams. Scammers have been contacting taxpayers via live and automated phone call, email, fax, regular mail, and text message.

Here is a list of some of the most prevalent scams to watch out for:

• Students and their parents are contacted and demand is made for a fictitious tax such as the "Federal Student Tax".
• Fraudulent IRS bills for the tax year 2015 related to the Affordable Care Act are sent out via email or letter.
• Demand is made for payment to settle a "tax bill".
• Requests are made for "verification of tax return information" in order to process your return.

If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS:

• DO NOT give out any information. .
• Report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Use their use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page or call 800-366-4484.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

If you receive an unsolicited email that appears to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), report it by sending it to phishing@irs.gov.