IRS to end most unannounced visits to taxpayers

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IRS to end most unannounced visits to taxpayers

The IRS announced yesterday that most unannounced visits by agency revenue officers to taxpayers will end in an effort to reduce public confusion and enhance safety measures for both employees and taxpayers.

In a statement, the IRS said unannounced visits will end except in a few unique circumstances and will be replaced with mailed letters to schedule meetings.

Security concerns have increased on multiple fronts, according to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. The increasing number of scam artists contacting taxpayers has created confusion about IRS revenue officers visiting their homes. Taxpayers and law enforcement are likely to encounter scam artists that appear at the door posing as IRS agents, causing confusion among taxpayers and law enforcement.

In addition to unannounced visits, revenue officers will contact taxpayers through a 725-B appointment letter, followed by a meeting. By doing so, taxpayers will feel more prepared for their meetings.

Although most unannounced visits will end, they may occur in a few cases. The service of summonses and subpoenas, as well as sensitive enforcement actions involving the seizure of assets, especially those that may not be reached by the government, are among these rare cases.

Under the old policy, unannounced visits typically occur in the tens of thousands annually, whereas summonses, subpoenas and seizures occur less than a few hundred times annually.