In what is said to be a major shift in policy, the Internal Revenue Service has announced that they will be ending most unannounced taxpayer visits. According to the agency, this change is being made in order to “reduce public confusion” and increase the overall safety of both taxpayers and IRS employees.
Overview
One of the main reasons that was cited for the policy change is the safety of IRS Revenue Officers. According to reports, unannounced visits to the home of taxpayers resulted in Revenue Agents facing hazards almost routinely. Additionally, there is too much uncertainty on both the agent and taxpayers side when it comes to unannounced visits.
Increased Scams Causing Confusion
As the technological world continues to advance, scammers are becoming more clever when it comes to harassing taxpayers for personal information. This is another driving force of the IRS policy change, as the increase in tax scammers has caused taxpayers to be unsure whether or not an unannounced visit is legit or just another scam. An example of this took place in Floyd County, Georgia when the public was startled to see a man in a suit knocking on doors claiming to work for the Internal Revenue Service. Several residents in the area did call the police on this man, and it turns out he did work for the IRS, but the public was not convinced.
IRS Commissioner Statement
“These visits created extra anxiety for taxpayers already wary of potential scam artists,” Said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “At the same time, the uncertainty around what IRS employees faced when visiting these homes created stress for them as well. This is the right thing to do and the right time to end it. Starting today, if someone is ringing your doorbell, it is extremely unlikely to be an IRS employee, unless you have made an appointment.”
Check Your Mail
It is being reported that the main alternative for unannounced visits will be IRS appointment letters. Taxpayers who receive what are known as 725-B letters will be assigned to an IRS Revenue Officer. From there, meetings can be scheduled at an appropriate time to ensure the taxpayer has all the necessary documentation.
Wrap Up
This can be seen as a relief for many Americans who feel like the IRS invades their privacy with unannounced visits. Something that is important to note however, is the agency did say unannounced visits will occur, “in very limited situations.”