The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws in the United States. As part of their duties, IRS agents may visit taxpayers’ homes or businesses to conduct audits or investigations. It is important to be able to verify the identity of an IRS agent before allowing them access to your property or providing them with any information.
How to Verify an IRS Agent
There are several ways to verify the identity of an IRS agent:
- Ask for their credentials. IRS agents are required to carry a badge and identification card. The badge will have the agent’s name, photograph, and title. The identification card will have the agent’s name, Social Security number, and date of birth.
- Call the IRS. You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to verify the identity of an IRS agent. The IRS will ask you for the agent’s name, badge number, and the reason for their visit.
- Check the IRS website. The IRS website has a database of all IRS agents. You can search the database by the agent’s name, badge number, or Social Security number.
What to Do if You Are Not Sure
If you are not sure whether or not an IRS agent is legitimate, you should not allow them access to your property or provide them with any information. You should call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to verify the agent’s identity.
Additional Tips
- Never give your Social Security number or other personal information to an IRS agent unless you are sure they are legitimate.
- If you are uncomfortable with an IRS agent’s behavior, you can ask them to leave.
- You can also file a complaint with the IRS if you believe an IRS agent has acted improperly.
It is important to be able to verify the identity of an IRS agent before allowing them access to your property or providing them with any information. By following the tips in this article, you can help protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.
How to verify your identity with the IRS to receive your tax return
FAQ
How do I know if my IRS agent is legitimate?
How do I verify if someone works for the IRS?
Can I talk to an IRS agent in person?
Do IRS agents carry a badge?
How do I verify an IRS Revenue Officer’s badge number?
The first tip for verifying an IRS Revenue Officer’s badge number is to ask for their full name and employee identification number (EIN) along with other personal information such as their address and phone number. The EIN is located on the back of their business card, which should also contain their full name.
How does the IRS verify your identity?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) works with ID.me, a technology provider, to provide authentication and identity verification for taxpayers and tax professionals accessing IRS applications. Proving your identity involves uploading government documents, taking a video selfie, and filling out personal information.
How do I verify an Enrolled Agent License?
TaxConnections created an interactive map in order to “Verify An Enrolled Agent License” easily. You can verify the license of any enrolled agent, simply by clicking on the state located on the interactive map.
How do I verify a CPA license?
You can verify the license of any enrolled agent, simply by clicking on the state located on the interactive map. Go to “Resource” in the footer on TaxConnections to “Verify a CPA License”, “Verify a State Law License” and “Verify An Enrolled Agent License” Interactive Maps.