Cathy Boring RTRP, AFSP

IRS Impersonation Scams – Did You Know?

Criminals continue to use IRS impersonation scams to steal money and personal information. Understanding how the IRS actually communicates can help you recognize and avoid these schemes.

The IRS generally initiates contact by sending a letter through the mail on official letterhead. If you have an IRS online account, you can log in to verify whether a notice is legitimate. If you are unsure, you can contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.

Scammers, however, often pose as the IRS in several ways:

By mail: Fake letters may look official but include incorrect contact details or suspicious language such as “in relation to your unclaimed refund.”

By email or text: The IRS does not initiate contact this way. Messages promising refunds, credits or urgent fixes often contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal your information.

By phone: Scammers may leave threatening messages or demand immediate payment using gift cards or other unusual methods—tactics the IRS does not use.

In person: Unannounced visits are extremely rare. Most legitimate IRS appointments are scheduled in advance by letter.

If you suspect a scam, do not respond, click links or share information. Instead, contact the IRS using an official phone number to verify the situation.

Avoiding Costly Tax Problems - Did You Know?

As the April 15 federal tax filing deadline approaches, some people may find themselves unable to pay the full amount of tax they owe. In that circumstance, it is important to pay as much as possible by the deadline, as doing so will help keep IRS penalties and interest charges to a minimum. For any remaining balance, many people may qualify to set up a monthly payment plan that fits within their budgets. Typically, interest fees will accumulate over the course of an installment plan, but the balance owed will not spiral upward, and penalties will not escalate as long as monthly payments are made on time.

During the weeks and months after they file, some people may receive an IRS notice in the mail. The notice may request payment, especially if an installment plan has not been established. In other cases, IRS letters ask for additional information like the basis for a deduction amount, or require action to correct a filing mistake like omitting a form. A tax professional can help you properly respond to an IRS notice if you receive one, or help you set up a manageable payment plan if you cannot pay your tax balance in full.

Unfiled 2022 Federal Tax Refunds Must Be Claimed by April 15 – Did You Know?

The IRS estimates that over one million people are owed tax refunds from 2022, with the majority of those refunds exceeding $600. However, in order to claim their refunds, people must file their 2022 tax returns by April 15, 2026. Some people may also need to file 2023 and 2024 returns in order to receive an IRS refund.

Those who qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in 2022 but did not file a return could be missing out on much larger refunds, potentially exceeding $6,000. The adjusted gross income limits for the 2022 EITC ranged from $16,480 to $53,057 (or $22,610 to $59,187 for joint filers), depending on a person's number of qualifying children.

Filing an accurate tax return for 2022 may require referring to income statements like W-2 and 1099 forms. If you cannot locate those forms but have an IRS online account, you can generally obtain the needed information by using the free IRS Get Income Transcript tool (link below). Most people can set up an account in about 20 minutes, less time than it takes to request and receive replacement documents from employers, banks, etc.

IRS Get Transcript Online tool: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript