Tax season begins in a couple of weeks. But you may run into some trouble before you even file. Contact 13 has what you need to know about a very important IRS policy.
"This can't be true," said Susan Stone.
She's speaking out about an unwanted phone call. It was from someone claiming to be with the IRS.
"That call put fear into me," Stone said.
Stone was told she owed back-taxes for 2008 through 2011. And she was facing possible fraud charges unless she paid up.
"Extreme panic. I was like wait a minute. I know that the IRS wouldn't be calling," says Susan.
And she's right. It's all part of a nationwide scam Contact 13 reported on in the past. It seems to be escalating as we approach the latest tax season. And we're getting more and more complaints coming into our newsroom.
"The IRS has seen an increase in tax scams, preying on honest taxpayers."
The government is working to get the word out with this YouTube video. And Nevada's attorney general warns this scam is intensifying in Nevada. In Stone's case, the caller was aggressive.
"He's like, well if you think this is fraud go ahead and hang up. We'll have the agents there shortly to pick you up," Stone said.
She wasn't buying it, and decided to hang up. And that's exactly what you should do, if you get the same call.
"Believe me, the IRS will never call you," Stone said.
Here's the Contact 13 bottom line. The IRS will not call you about tax debts you owe without first mailing you several official notices. And they'll never demand a payment without giving you the chance to appeal.
For more information, including how to report this scam, click here.
