by Art Weiss | Oct 4, 2017 | Uncategorized
Taxpayers who get an unexpected or unsolicited phone call from the IRS should be wary – it’s probably a scam. Phone calls continue to be one of the most common ways that thieves try to get taxpayers to provide personal information. These scammers then use that information to gain access to the victim’s bank or other account.
When a taxpayer answers the phone, it might be a recording or an actual person claiming to be from the IRS. Sometimes the scammer tells the taxpayer they owe money and must pay right away. They might also say the person has a refund waiting, and then they ask for bank account information over the phone.
Taxpayers should not take the bait and fall for this trick. Here are several tips that will help taxpayers avoid becoming a scam victim.
The real IRS will not:
- Call to demand immediate payment
- Call someone if they owe taxes without first sending a bill in the mail
- Demand tax payment and not allow the taxpayer to question or appeal the amount owed
- Require that someone pay their taxes a certain way, such as with a prepaid debit card
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone
- Threaten to bring in local police or other agencies to arrest a taxpayer who doesn’t pay
- Threaten a lawsuit
Taxpayers who don’t owe taxes or who have no reason to think they do should follow these steps:
Taxpayers who think they might actually owe taxes should follow these steps:
- Ask for a call back number and an employee badge number.
- Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Taxpayers can visit IRS.gov to explore their rights and the agency’s obligations to protect them.
by Art Weiss | Oct 4, 2017 | Uncategorized
Taxpayers who are victims of a disaster might need to reconstruct records to prove their loss. Doing this may be essential for tax purposes, getting federal assistance, or insurance reimbursement.
Here are 12 things taxpayers can do to help reconstruct their records after a disaster:
Taxpayers can get free tax return transcripts by using the Get Transcript tool on IRS.gov, or use their smartphone with the IRS2Go mobile phone app. They can also call 800-908-9946 to order them by phone.
To establish the extent of the damage, taxpayers should take photographs or videos as soon after the disaster as possible.
Taxpayers can contact the title company, escrow company, or bank that handled the purchase of their home to get copies of appropriate documents.
Home owners should review their insurance policy as the policy usually lists the value of a building to establish a base figure for replacement.
Taxpayers who made improvements to their home should contact the contractors who did the work to see if records are available. If possible, the home owner should get statements from the contractors to verify the work and cost. They can also get written accounts from friends and relatives who saw the house before and after any improvements.
For inherited property, taxpayers can check court records for probate values. If a trust or estate existed, the taxpayer can contact the attorney who handled the trust.
When no other records are available, taxpayers can check the county assessor’s office for old records that might address the value of the property.
There are several resources that can help someone determine the current fair-market value of most cars on the road. These resources are all available online and at most libraries:
Kelley’s Blue Book
National Automobile Dealers Association
Edmunds
Taxpayers can look on their mobile phone for pictures that show the damaged property before the disaster.
Taxpayers can support the valuation of property with photographs, videos, canceled checks, receipts, or other evidence.
If they bought items using a credit card or debit card, they should contact their credit card company or bank for past statements.
If a taxpayer doesn’t have photographs or videos of their property, a simple method to help them remember what items they lost is to sketch pictures of each room that was impacted.
More Information:
Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts
Publication 584, Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook
Publication 584-B, Business Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook
Publication 2194, Disaster Resource Guide for Individuals and Businesses
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Small Business Administration
Disasterassistance.gov
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