In a significant policy shift, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that it will cease most unannounced visits to taxpayers by agency revenue officers. This decision, effective immediately, is part of a broader transformation effort aimed at reducing public confusion and enhancing safety measures for both taxpayers and IRS employees. Instead of unannounced visits, the IRS will now send letters to taxpayers to schedule meetings, providing a more predictable and less stressful experience for everyone involved.
The policy change comes in response to several factors. Firstly, the rise in scam artists posing as IRS agents has led to increased confusion and anxiety among taxpayers. Secondly, the unannounced visits presented safety risks for IRS revenue officers, who often faced uncertainty and potential hazards. The new approach will not only increase confidence in tax administration work but also improve overall safety. However, it’s important to note that there will still be extremely rare instances where unannounced visits will occur, such as service of summonses and subpoenas, and sensitive enforcement activities involving seizure of assets.
In place of unannounced visits, revenue officers will make contact with taxpayers through an appointment letter, known as a 725-B, and schedule a follow-up meeting. This will help taxpayers feel more prepared when it is time to meet. Taxpayers whose cases are assigned to a revenue officer will now be able to schedule face-to-face meetings at a set place and time, with the necessary information and documents in hand to reach a resolution of their cases more quickly and eliminate the burden of multiple future meetings. This change is part of the IRS’s ongoing efforts to transform its operations and improve taxpayer service.
Sources: https://www.irs.gov/irs-ends-unannounced-visits
Submitted by: Jeremy Fortner
