Is this IRS letter real? How to check
How to tell a real IRS letter from a scam, and where to check your notices.
Check my letter freeThe IRS writes first by mail
The IRS starts most contacts with a letter by mail. A real notice shows a notice or letter number, usually at the top right or the bottom of the page, your name and part of your tax ID number.
What the IRS does not do
The IRS does not ask you to pay with gift cards, crypto or a wire transfer, does not threaten to have you arrested, and does not ask for card numbers by text or social media.
How to check
Look up the notice number on irs.gov. Sign in to your IRS online account, where many notices are listed. Call the IRS at a number you find yourself on irs.gov, not the one in a suspicious message.
More guides
- How to respond to an IRS CP2000 notice
- IRS first-time penalty abatement: how to ask
- IRS payment plan: what to do if you can't pay in full
- IRS changed your return? You have 60 days to disagree
- All IRS notices