IRS

[Yadkin]

Today I got a phone call from the IRS. She identified by last name and employee number. They had mailed a letter to my old business address, then my old home address, both which she cited, and both returned undeliverable. As far as I can tell this is legit.

She had a return filed in 2019 for a business that I used to own, a corporate entity, but none prior and none after. It showed assets of over $500k. I had assets maybe $5k, and dissolved that business about 15 years ago. She believed me, had to discuss with a supervisor, but would likely consider the matter closed.

After the call I started thinking about how the 2019 return could have been filed. My theory is that it was a disgruntled client. I can only recall one in the last 20 years and this guy was a douche.

I had done a structural inspection of a house that they were buying, and was hired by his wife. Everything about her was about cost so I agreed to a very limited scope, based on what their home inspector reported. As is my policy in a situation where the client does not own the home, my fee must be paid before I leave the premises. She paid and the next day received my invoice marked paid along with my report.

A day later her douche husband called and, for the sake of brevity, wanted to expand my scope and wanted it done for free. When I refused he wrote a scathing review on Goggle, getting several key points wrong. Google deleted the erroneous review.

I'm wondering now if the Douche filed a fraudulent in return to try to get me in trouble with the IRS. :Jeff '79:

[Aerovette]

Wait wait wait...I thought you had thousands of clients and they all think you are awesome?

This was obviously a scam. :yesnod:


:Jeff '79:

[Louie Detroit]

Have you ever revealed your real name in the car forums? Maybe it was done by one of your internet fans. :lol:

[DAB]

the IRS called?

the write letters and show up in person, they don't call.

if they did call, it would be to get your address to send you a letter.

sounds fishy.

[Taurus]

Have you ever revealed your real name in the car forums? Maybe it was done by one of your internet fans. :lol:

It happens.

[Yadkin]

the IRS called?

the write letters and show up in person, they don't call.

if they did call, it would be to get your address to send you a letter.

sounds fishy.

That was my first thought. But she didn't ask me for bank information or money, so there's that.

[Steve_R]

That wasn’t the IRS.

[Yadkin]

That wasn’t the IRS.



There are special circumstances where the IRS will call or visit your home or business. Instances where this may be the case are if:

You have an overdue tax bill
You have a delinquent tax return
You have a delinquent employment tax payment
If you are under criminal investigation for tax fraud
You are being audited
Even so, you will receive IRS notices in the mail prior to the call or visit.

The IRS behaves in predicted ways. In fact, the IRS will never call you and…

Ask for personal information, like your Social Security number, credit card or bank routing numbers, or other personal information.
Inquire about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
Ask for an immediate tax payment over the phone. Typically, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
Demand that you owe a certain amount of money in delinquent taxes, without the opportunity to appeal. (Remember: you have certain rights as a taxpayer.)
Threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

:yesnod:

[Anjdog2003]

That was my first thought. But she didn't ask me for bank information or money, so there's that.




Did she have a Somalian accent?

[Yadkin]

Did she have a Somalian accent?

No. Perfect midwestern accent (none) and enunciation. :yesnod:

[04 commemorative]

Duhhhhhh....call the IRS and ask for her ! You have all her information right ?

[MikeB]

the IRS called?

the write letters and show up in person, they don't call.

if they did call, it would be to get your address to send you a letter.

sounds fishy.

Just read your later reply, and I agree with DAB.
The IRS runs a commercial on TV stating they will not call.
They contact you by mail.

Although, by your post, maybe they did call, as they didn't ask for money.
Regardless, I still believe they don't call you unless you leave a call-back message.

[Mike Mercury]

... he wrote a scathing review on Goggle, getting several key points wrong.

He might get hired on at CNN.

[VITE1]

Having had a few run ins with various taxing authorities here is the only suggestion you should take to heart.

Never, ever, ever discuss anything, communicate anything, send them anything without your accountant or tax attorney in control of the line of communication.

They think we are ignorant assholes, and most people are, and will screw you just to make themselves look better.

[MikeB]

Having had a few run ins with various taxing authorities here is the only suggestion you should take to heart.

Never, ever, ever discuss anything, communicate anything, send them anything without your accountant or tax attorney in control of the line of communication.

They think we are ignorant assholes, and most people are, and will screw you just to make themselves look better.

Sorry Vite, but this defies logic, which they(IRS) NEVER use.

[Yadkin]

Having had a few run ins with various taxing authorities here is the only suggestion you should take to heart.

Never, ever, ever discuss anything, communicate anything, send them anything without your accountant or tax attorney in control of the line of communication.

They think we are ignorant assholes, and most people are, and will screw you just to make themselves look better.
I learned that the hard way about 15 years ago.

I owned a small corporation and hired a consultant CPA to do my quarterly returns. After doing that for a few years he screwed up somehow and used the wrong form. A few months after that the IRS called and told me that I owed them $2000. The amount I sent in was correct, the fine was for using the wrong form.

I told her "**** you", then hung up. She fined me another $2000 then took the money out of my checking account.

Then she sent letters to five of my biggest clients, basically saying was a shithead I was.

On the bright side, subsequent conversations with my clients were very entertaining. They had all been through this type of shit with the IRS at one time or another.

Bottom line: The IRS hates small business and will do whatever they can to get us out of business. :yesnod:

[Mick]

the IRS called?

the write letters and show up in person, they don't call.

if they did call, it would be to get your address to send you a letter.

sounds fishy.

Just read your later reply, and I agree with DAB.
The IRS runs a commercial on TV stating they will not call.
They contact you by mail.

Although, by your post, maybe they did call, as they didn't ask for money.
Regardless, I still believe they don't call you unless you leave a call-back message.

Fact check: Partially true.

The FIRST CONTACT when the IRS has a problem with something you have done, will NOT be a phone call, and unless they have evidence that you have done something criminal, it will NOT be a personal visit either, it will be by mail for 99.9% of us.

However, once a file is opened, and they are working on it, it is very normal for them to call you. I have had several phone calls with the Federal IRS and one or two from the NJ IRS over the last 40 years or so.

[Capt Van]

1 IRS does not call

2 Do not talk to then under ANY circumstances

3 Turn it over to your CPA ASAP

Don't ask me how I know,

[VITE1]

Sorry Vite, but this defies logic, which they(IRS) NEVER use.

I started my 2nd business in 1991. Each and every quarter I'd get a letter saying " You underpaid and owe 5k, 10k, 36k and if you don't pay immediately we will seize your accounts.

I'd pay, my accountant made me, then a month or so latter I'd get a check saying " you over paid" and the amount was ALWAYS greater than I " Underpaid ". I'd send the check back saying" Apply to future tax payments.

This went on for decades.

[Frankie the Fink]

:kimblair:the IRS called?

the write letters and show up in person, they don't call.

if they did call, it would be to get your address to send you a letter.

sounds fishy.
Agree - my small, one man IT consulting business was audited multiple times in 15 years in operation. Every time it was a fat, scary envelope....and why would a 2019 return trigger ANYthing for a business closed out 15 years ago?

The IRS can normally reach back 3 years and IF they find something that can expand to 7 years -or, at least that's how it used to be.

[RedLS1GTO]

Not to get in the way of a good internet debate, but some of you old guys may not realize that it is indeed 2023... which means just about everything is online. Including the IRS and your tax records (including business records). It's not hard to get logged in and actually see your status and details with the IRS.

https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account