You open your mailbox and find an official-looking letter claiming to be from the IRS.
It has your name. It may reference taxes you owe. It might even include an IRS logo.
But is it really from the IRS?
Tax scams have become increasingly sophisticated, and scammers may impersonate the IRS in an attempt to steal money or personal information.
At the same time, legitimate IRS correspondence should never be ignored simply because you're unsure whether it's real.
The key is knowing how the IRS normally communicates and how to verify questionable correspondence before responding.
The IRS normally makes its first contact with taxpayers through U.S. mail.
A legitimate IRS notice or letter will generally explain:
Most IRS correspondence also contains a CP number or Letter/LTR number that identifies the type of notice you received.
If something doesn't look right, verify the correspondence before providing personal information, sending documents, or making a payment.
Don't ignore an IRS notice—but don't automatically trust something simply because it says “IRS” either.
If you're uncertain whether correspondence is legitimate, verify it through official IRS resources before responding.
For most taxpayers, the first contact from the IRS is a notice or letter delivered through the U.S. Postal Service.
After written correspondence has been sent, the IRS may contact a taxpayer in other ways depending on the situation.
For example, an IRS employee may call about an existing tax matter, scheduled audit, or other account issue.
The IRS also offers certain electronic communications when taxpayers choose to receive them.
The important distinction is that an unexpected phone call, email, or text demanding immediate action is very different from a communication connected to an IRS matter you already know about.
IRS notices and letters generally have identifying numbers such as:
CP14
CP2000
CP501
Letter 1058
Look for a CP or LTR/Letter number on the correspondence.
You can search for many IRS notices and letters on IRS.gov to learn:
If the notice number cannot be found or the correspondence appears suspicious, take additional steps to verify it.
Many taxpayers can view digital copies of select IRS notices and letters through their secure IRS Online Account.
That can provide another way to verify correspondence you received in the mail.
However, not every IRS notice is currently available online.
So if a letter doesn't appear in your Online Account, that does not automatically mean it is fake.
Be cautious if someone claiming to be the IRS:
Scammers often rely on fear and urgency.
Their goal is to make you react before you have time to verify what they're telling you.
A professional-looking letter isn't enough to prove that correspondence is legitimate.
Instead of asking:
“Does this look like an IRS letter?”
ask:
“Can I independently verify that the IRS actually issued it?”
Look at the notice number, compare the information with your IRS account when possible, and use official IRS resources to verify questionable correspondence.
Verify independently—not through the contact information provided by someone you already suspect may be a scammer.
This is an area where outdated advice can cause confusion.
You may have heard:
“The IRS never emails or texts taxpayers.”
That's too broad.
The IRS does offer certain email and text communications when taxpayers have opted in to receive them.
What should concern you is an unexpected email or text claiming that you suddenly owe taxes, are entitled to an unexpected refund, must provide personal information, or need to click a link immediately.
If you receive an unexpected IRS-related electronic message, don't automatically click links, open attachments, or provide information.
Verify the communication independently first.
The IRS may call taxpayers in certain circumstances.
For example, an IRS employee may call regarding an existing account matter or after prior correspondence has been sent.
However, the IRS does not call taxpayers to demand immediate payment while threatening arrest if they refuse.
If an unexpected caller claims to be from the IRS and something doesn't seem right:
An IRS social-media account may provide general tax information.
But the IRS does not send taxpayers direct messages through social media to resolve individual tax matters.
If someone sends you a Facebook, Instagram, X, or other social-media direct message claiming to be an IRS employee who needs your personal information or payment:
Do not respond with sensitive information.
Treat the message as suspicious.
One common mistake is using the phone number, link, or payment instructions contained in suspicious correspondence to determine whether the correspondence itself is legitimate.
If the communication is fraudulent, those contact methods may simply connect you back to the scammer.
Instead, verify questionable correspondence using an independent IRS source.
If you're uncertain whether correspondence is legitimate:
If you determine that the correspondence is fraudulent, don't simply throw it away. Depending on the type of scam, it may be appropriate to report it to the IRS or other government agencies.
The IRS normally makes initial contact through U.S. mail.
There are exceptions depending on the situation, and subsequent communication may occur by telephone or through authorized electronic channels.
The IRS may send certain emails when taxpayers have opted in to receive electronic communications.
An unexpected email demanding payment or personal information should be treated cautiously.
The IRS uses text messaging in limited circumstances when taxpayers have opted in.
Unexpected texts claiming you owe taxes, promising tax credits or refunds, or asking you to click suspicious links should not automatically be trusted.
The IRS does not use social media direct messages to contact individual taxpayers about their personal tax accounts.
Often, yes.
Digital copies of many—but not all—IRS notices are available through Online Account. If your notice isn't shown there, use other official IRS resources to verify it.
That doesn't automatically mean the letter is fraudulent.
If you're unable to verify the correspondence through the IRS notice search or your Online Account, contact the IRS directly using official contact information.
No.
The IRS does not require taxpayers to pay federal tax debts using store gift cards or similar unusual payment methods.
✅ I Received a Letter From the IRS—What Should I Do?
✅ How Do I Know If an IRS Notice Is Real? (You are here
➡️ How Do I Read an IRS Notice?
➡️ Does an IRS Notice Mean I'm Being Audited?
➡️ What Happens If I Ignore an IRS Notice?
➡️ What If I Disagree With an IRS Notice?
➡️ I Understand My IRS Notice—Now What?
IRS scams can look convincing, but you don't have to guess whether correspondence is legitimate.
Remember:
The IRS normally makes first contact by mail.
Legitimate correspondence generally identifies the issue and provides a notice or letter number.
Unexpected threats, demands for immediate payment, or requests for sensitive information are warning signs.
And when you're uncertain:
Verify first. Respond second.
Taking a few minutes to independently confirm IRS correspondence can protect both your money and your personal information.
Notice Stage Status
📬 Receive IRS correspondence Completed
⏳ Verify the notice is legitimate You are here
⏳ Understand what the notice says Next Step
⏳ Determine whether action is required Evaluate
⏳ Agree or disagree with the IRS Decide
⏳ Respond by the applicable deadline Take Action
⏳ Confirm the issue is resolved Follow Through
Now that you've determined whether the correspondence is legitimate, the next step is understanding exactly what the IRS notice is telling you.
If you've received correspondence claiming to be from the IRS and aren't sure whether it's legitimate—or aren't sure what it means after you've verified it—professional guidance may help.
An Enrolled Agent (EA) can help you:
Before responding to an IRS notice, make sure you understand both who sent it and what they're asking you to do.
This article is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. IRS communication methods and procedures may change, and every taxpayer's situation is unique. Always verify suspicious correspondence through official IRS resources. If you need advice regarding your specific situation, consult a qualified tax professional.
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