IRS Offers Tips to Avoid Coronavirus-Related Tax Scams

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration has established a dedicated web page where individuals can report coronavirus-related tax scams.

In order to avoid falling victim to fraudulent individuals either impersonating or claiming to represent the IRS, the inspector general offers the following tips to taxpayers:

• The IRS will generally first contact people by mail, not by telephone, about tax-related matters.
• If the IRS does contact you by telephone, they will not insist on any pre-payment using an iTunes card, gift card, prepaid debit card, money order, or wire transfer, in order to receive economic impact payments.
• The IRS also will never request personal or financial information by e-mail, text, letters, or any social media.

If you do receive a call or e-mail from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a pre-payment or for your personal or financial information in order to receive economic impact payments connected with the coronavirus pandemic, please report it here. For the latest NAHB news and business resources, visit nahb.org/coronavirus.