From the IRS website:
We typically contact you the first time through regular U.S. mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. To verify the IRS sent the letter or notice, you can search for it on IRS.gov. Some letters are sent from private collection agencies.
Other ways we may contact you:
- Email - We email you only with your permission, with a few exceptions like criminal investigations.
- Text message - We text you only with your permission.
- Phone - We might call to discuss your case, verify information or set up a meeting.
- Fax - We might send a fax to verify or request employment information.
- In-person visit - These are rare. Find out how and when IRS employees visit you or your business. We generally send a letter before we visit.
We don't:
- Contact you or take payment on social media. Get trusted tax information on our official social media accounts.
- Accept gift cards or prepaid debit cards as payment
- Threaten to call law enforcement or immigration officials
- Take your citizenship status, driver's license or business license
- Leave pre-recorded voicemails (robocalls)
- Mail tax debt resolution advertisements
