Internal Revenue Service (IRS): the agency behind U.S. taxes
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Key takeaways
The IRS is the federal agency responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing the U.S. tax code.
It communicates with taxpayers primarily by mail, not by an unexpected phone call demanding immediate payment.
Publication 519 is the IRS’s dedicated guide specifically for aliens navigating U.S. tax obligations.
Knowing how the real IRS actually operates helps in recognizing a scam impersonating it.
Direct contact with the IRS is always available through its official website and published phone numbers.
The IRS is the federal agency behind every U.S. tax return. Here’s what it does and how it actually communicates with taxpayers.
What is the IRS?
The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, is the federal agency responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. It processes tax returns, issues refunds, provides guidance and forms for taxpayers, and, when necessary, pursues collection or enforcement action against those who don’t meet their tax obligations.
How the IRS actually communicates with taxpayers
The IRS generally initiates contact with taxpayers by mail, not by an unexpected phone call, text message, or email demanding immediate payment. Owing money or having an issue with a return typically means receiving a written notice first, explaining the issue and outlining available options, including how to appeal or dispute the determination if there’s disagreement with it.
Resources the IRS provides specifically for immigrants
The IRS publishes Publication 519(opens in new window), the U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens, specifically to help individuals who aren’t U.S. citizens determine their tax residency status and understand their filing obligations. This dedicated resource exists precisely because standard tax guidance often assumes a citizen’s straightforward situation, while an immigrant’s actual filing requirements can depend on residency tests, treaty provisions, and status changes that don’t apply the same way to someone born in the U.S.
What the IRS means for people sending money internationally
Sending money to family abroad doesn’t put anyone on the IRS’s radar in any special way, since it’s not itself a taxable event, but accurately reporting the income that funds those transfers, and any foreign income separately received, remains an ongoing responsibility regardless of what’s chosen to be done with after-tax money.
When to consult a tax professional
Consult a tax professional, rather than trying to resolve it alone, upon receiving an IRS notice that’s not understood or disagreed with, since responding accurately and by the specified deadline matters and a misstep can complicate an otherwise resolvable situation. It’s also worth professional guidance before a first U.S. tax filing when the situation involves any cross-border element, foreign income, assets abroad, or a mid-year change in residency status, since the IRS’s rules in these areas are genuinely more complex than a standard domestic filing.
What to do if you owe money you can’t pay right away
If a genuine IRS notice shows an amount owed that can’t be paid immediately, the IRS generally offers payment plan options rather than expecting full payment upfront, and reaching out proactively to discuss these options is almost always better than ignoring the notice and hoping the problem resolves itself.
The IRS’s role in verifying income for other purposes
Beyond collecting tax, the IRS also provides income verification services, such as a tax transcript, that other institutions, a lender, a school, or an immigration authority, sometimes require as proof of reported income, making filing history relevant well beyond the annual tax bill itself. For anyone navigating both tax filing and a major purchase, this guide to buying your first home(opens in new window) covers how income documentation and tax records often factor into that process too.
Why the IRS’s written notices include a specific notice number
Every genuine IRS notice includes a specific notice or letter number, typically in the upper corner, which can be looked up directly on IRS.gov to understand exactly what the notice is about and what response, if any, is expected, an easy way to verify a physical letter’s legitimacy and purpose at the same time.
Why the IRS encourages creating an online account
Setting up a free IRS online account provides direct access to tax records, payment history, and current balance, often making it easier to resolve a question or verify information rather than waiting on hold for a phone representative.
Why the IRS rarely calls first for a routine matter
For a routine, first-time matter, the IRS overwhelmingly prefers written correspondence over a phone call, so receiving an unexpected call about a supposedly urgent tax issue without prior notification by mail is itself a meaningful red flag worth treating with skepticism.
Common questions about the IRS
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How can I tell if a call claiming to be from the IRS is real?
The genuine IRS does not initiate contact by threatening immediate arrest, demanding payment via gift card or cryptocurrency, or calling out of the blue before ever sending written notice. Any call matching this pattern should be treated as fraudulent, regardless of how convincing or official it sounds.
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How do I contact the real IRS if I have a question?
Use the official IRS.gov website or the phone numbers published there, rather than a number provided by an unsolicited caller or a link in an unexpected email or text message.
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Does the IRS handle state taxes too?
No. The IRS is a federal agency and handles only federal tax matters. Each state with an income tax has its own separate revenue department handling state tax filings and questions.
In Summary
Understanding how the IRS actually operates, communicating by mail first and never demanding urgent payment by phone, protects against a common scam while also helping in navigating a genuine IRS notice with more confidence when one does arrive.
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant, or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete, or up to date.