The IRS uses mail, phone, and in-person meetings — never email or text

The IRS will contact you by U.S. mail, telephone, or in-person appointment. It will not initiate contact through email, text message, social media, or any digital channel. If you receive a message claiming to be from the IRS through any of those methods, it is not from the IRS.

The reason for this is straightforward: mail and phone calls create a paper trail and allow you to verify the sender. The IRS knows that email and text are easy to fake, so it does not use them to start a conversation with you. When the IRS needs to reach you, it sends a letter to your address on file or calls a phone number you have provided.

The most common reason the IRS contacts you is to ask about something on your return — a discrepancy between what you reported and what the IRS found in its records, a missing document, or a math error. Less often, it contacts you about a payment you owe or to let you know you are due a refund.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS initiates contact only by mail, phone, or in-person appointment — never by email, text, or social media.
  • IRS mail comes from a specific address and includes a notice number; you can verify it by calling the IRS directly using the number on the letter itself.
  • If the IRS calls you, you can ask for a callback number and call back during business hours to confirm the call was real.
  • Scammers impersonate the IRS through email and text because those channels are harder to trace; do not respond to unsolicited messages claiming to be from the IRS.

How the IRS sends mail and what to look for

IRS mail comes from one of several IRS offices, most commonly the service center that processed your return. The envelope will have an IRS address on it — usually a city like Austin, Kansas City, or Philadelphia. Inside, you will find a notice, which is a formal letter explaining why the IRS is writing to you.

Every IRS notice has a notice number at the top, usually starting with "CP" (Compliance Program) followed by digits. Examples include CP2000, CP2501, or CP14. This number tells you what kind of issue the IRS found. The notice also includes a phone number you can call if you have questions, and that number is specific to the IRS office handling your case.

The letter will explain what the IRS found, what documents it needs from you (if any), and what you should do next. It will also include a deadline — usually 30 days from the date of the letter. If you disagree with what the IRS says, the notice will explain how to respond in writing or request a conference with an IRS representative.

If you are unsure whether a letter is real, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 (the main IRS number) and give them the notice number. Do not call any number printed in the letter if you suspect it might be fake — use the main IRS number instead. The IRS representative can tell you whether the letter is genuine and what it means.

How the IRS calls and what to do if they do

The IRS calls taxpayers when it needs to discuss a time-sensitive issue — usually a payment problem or a discrepancy that requires immediate clarification. An IRS employee will identify themselves by name and office, and will explain why they are calling. They may ask you questions about your return or your tax situation.

If you receive a call claiming to be from the IRS and you are not sure it is real, you can ask the caller for a callback number and their name. Write both down. Then hang up and call the IRS main line at 1-800-829-1040. Give the representative the callback number and name, and they can tell you whether the call was legitimate. If it was, the representative can transfer you back to the person who called, or you can call the callback number directly during business hours.

The IRS does not threaten arrest, demand immediate payment by wire transfer or gift card, or ask for credit card or bank account numbers over the phone. If a caller does any of those things, it is a scam. Hang up and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 or online at tigta.gov.

In-person meetings at an IRS office

The IRS may ask you to come to a local IRS office to discuss your return in person. This usually happens when the issue is complex or when the IRS needs to see original documents. The IRS will send you a letter with the date, time, and location of the appointment, along with the name of the IRS representative you will meet.

You can bring someone with you — a tax professional, accountant, or attorney. If you cannot make the appointment, you can call the number on the letter and ask to reschedule. The IRS will work with you to find a time that works, though it may take a few weeks to get another slot.

If you are nervous about the meeting, you can bring a representative to speak on your behalf. The representative does not have to be a lawyer; it can be a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparer. You will need to sign a power of attorney form (Form 2848) to authorize them to represent you.

What to do if you receive a suspicious message

If you get an email, text, or social media message claiming to be from the IRS, it is not from the IRS. Delete it. Do not click any links, download any attachments, or reply to it. Do not call any phone number in the message.

If the message includes a link or asks you to enter personal information, report it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. These reports help the government track scams and shut them down.

If you have already clicked a link or entered information, change your passwords immediately and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. You can do this for free by calling one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (1-888-378-4329), Experian (1-888-397-3742), or TransUnion (1-888-909-8872).

How to verify an IRS contact before responding

The safest way to verify that the IRS has contacted you is to call the IRS yourself using a number you know is real. Use 1-800-829-1040 (the main IRS line) or look up the number for your local IRS office on irs.gov. Do not use a number from the letter, email, or phone message you received.

When you call, have the notice number (if you received mail) or the caller's name (if you received a call) ready. The IRS representative can confirm whether the contact was real and can answer your questions about what to do next. This takes 10 to 15 minutes and removes all doubt.

If you received mail, you can also verify it by checking the IRS website. Go to irs.gov and search for the notice number. The IRS publishes descriptions of all its notices online, so you can see what the notice is supposed to say and what you are supposed to do about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the IRS contact me by email?

No. The IRS does not send emails to start contact with you. If you receive an email claiming to be from the IRS, it is a scam. You can report it to phishing@irs.gov.

What if I ignore an IRS letter?

Ignoring an IRS letter can lead to penalties, interest, or further action. If you received a notice, read it and follow the instructions, even if you disagree with what it says. If you disagree, the notice will explain how to respond. If you cannot respond by the deadline, call the IRS and ask for an extension.

How long does the IRS usually take to contact me after I file my return?

Most returns are processed without any contact. If the IRS needs to reach you, it typically does so within three to six months of filing, though it can take longer if your return is complex or if there is a backlog.

What should I do if an IRS representative is rude or unhelpful?

You can ask to speak to a supervisor. If you are still not satisfied, you can file a complaint with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at tigta.gov or call 1-800-366-4484.

Do I have to answer questions when the IRS calls?

You can ask the IRS to send you a written request instead of answering questions over the phone. You can also have a representative answer on your behalf. If you are unsure about the call, verify it first by calling the IRS main line before you answer any questions.