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Global Insight Network

How do I know if the IRS site is legitimate?

Author

Jessica Cortez

Updated on May 10, 2026

While it's always good practice to avoid putting your social security number and other personal information into websites, there is a legitimate IRS site that can tell you the status of your refund. To access the real IRS page, go to and click on “Get My Payment.â€

Besides, what is the real IRS website?

The address of the official IRS website is www.irs.gov. Don't be misled by sites claiming to be the IRS but ending in .com, . net, .

Likewise, is IRS com a legitimate website? While IRS.com was certainly created to attract the attention of people looking for the official IRS site, it doesn't appear to be a scam, since it's owned by a legitimate company, Banks.com, Inc. IRS.com offers only an email form and no phone number.

In respect to this, how do I verify IRS website?

Alternatively, for the quickest verification taxpayers are urged to go online to irs.gov and answer the questions there. Note - you only need to answer these questions if you received a 5071C letter.

Are there fake IRS letters going out?

The IRS does send letters to taxpayers. If there's no contact information or if it appears to be a personal or cell number, the letter is likely a fake. If there is contact information but you're not sure that it's legitimate, you can always call the IRS directly at 1.800.

Related Question Answers

Is it safe to enter SSN on IRS website?

While it's always good practice to avoid putting your social security number and other personal information into websites, there is a legitimate IRS site that can tell you the status of your refund. To access the real IRS page, go to IRS.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments and click on “Get My Payment.”

How do I know if I get a stimulus check?

Check the IRS Get My Payment web tool for determining whether your stimulus payment has been issued. Read answers to frequently asked questions about stimulus payments on irs.gov. Call the IRS toll-free stimulus information line: 800-919-9835.

Is the IRS giving out stimulus checks?

The IRS and Treasury announced that stimulus payments started going out via direct deposit on Dec. 29. Paper checks were scheduled to begin being mailed on Dec. 30. Payments will be issued automatically to eligible individuals who: filed 2019 federal tax returns.

How do I contact the IRS about a stimulus check?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Assistance Impacts. Telephone Assistance: IRS live phone assistance is extremely limited at this time. For Economic Impact Payment questions, call 800-919-9835.

Does the IRS ask for SSN?

Taxpayers and tax professionals who call the IRS will be asked to verify their identities. Social Security numbers and birth dates for those who were named on the tax return. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number letter if the taxpayer has one instead of an SSN.

Is IRS GOV the official site?

IRS.gov is the official website of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is the United States' tax collection agency.

How do I pay IRS taxes?

Pay
  1. Overview.
  2. PAY BY.
  3. Bank Account (Direct Pay)
  4. Debit or Credit Card.
  5. Payment Plan (Installment Agreement)
  6. Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
  7. POPULAR.
  8. Tax Withholding Estimator.

Is the stimulus check taxable in 2021?

The short answer: No. In the somewhat longer words of the IRS: “No, the payment is not income and taxpayers will not owe tax on it. The payment will not reduce a taxpayer's refund or increase the amount they owe when they file their 2020 or 2021 tax return next year.

What does a fake IRS letter look like?

Letter Identification

Real IRS letters have either a notice number (CP) or letter number (LTR) on either the top or bottom right-hand corner of the letter. If there's no notice number or letter, it's likely that the letter is fraudulent. It's recommended you call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Why did I get a 5071c letter?

If the IRS suspects that a tax return with your name on it is potentially the result of identity theft, the agency will send you a special letter, called a 5071C Letter. This letter is to notify you that the agency received a tax return with your name and Social Security number and it believes it may not be yours.

Why did I get a 5071c letter from the IRS?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sends a 5071C letter to the address on the federal tax return indicating that tax ID theft has occurred.

How do I prove my identity to the IRS?

What You Need to Verify Your Identity
  1. Your personal account number from a:
  2. A mobile phone associated with your name.
  3. Your 5071C letter, 5747C letter, 5447C letter, or 6331C letter.
  4. The income tax return (form 1040,1040-PR, 1040-NR, 1040-SR, etc.)
  5. You must also have your mailing address from your previous year's tax return.

How do I confirm the IRS received my tax return?

Find out if Your Tax Return Was Submitted
  1. Using the IRS Where's My Refund tool.
  2. Calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (Wait times to speak to a representative may be long.)
  3. Viewing your IRS account information.
  4. Looking for emails or status updates from your e-filing website or software.

Is a 5071c letter an audit?

Taxpayers with due refunds and taxpayers with taxes due are receiving letter 5017c etc. Note: The identify verification letter is not to be confused with a Tax Audit and does not imply that something is incorrect with your tax return in question.

Why is the IRS verifying my income?

The IRS could verify your information and determine that you owe more in taxes. In that case, the IRS would look at every aspect of your return to determine whether you've reported your income properly and paid the appropriate amount of tax.

How long after I verify my identity with IRS?

What happens after I successfully verify? After we successfully verify your identity, we'll process your tax return. It may take up to 9 weeks to receive your refund or credit any overpayment to your account. If we find other problems, we'll contact you again.

How does the IRS contact you if there is a problem?

When the IRS needs to contact a taxpayer, the first contact is normally by letter delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS doesn't normally initiate contact with taxpayers by email, nor does it send text messages or contact through social media channels.

Can you fake tax returns?

Filing a fraudulent return is considered misreporting your income by the IRS, and can result in criminal or civil penalties.

Will the IRS send you a letter if you owe money?

An IRS notice typically will be about your federal tax return or tax account. It could also explain that you owe tax and that you need to pay the amount that is due. Each notice has specific instructions, so read it carefully. It will tell you what you need to do.

What kind of letters does the IRS send?

Most IRS letters and notices are about federal tax returns or tax accounts. Each notice deals with a specific issue and includes specific instructions on what to do. Don't panic.

Is a letter from the IRS always bad?

Not All Letters from the IRS Are Bad

To start, it is important to point out that not all letters and notices that you receive from the IRS are necessarily bad. Thus, once you submit the information to the IRS, the problem is resolved. In other circumstances, a letter from the IRS may even bring good news.

How does the IRS contact you for an audit?

Remember, you will be contacted initially by mail. The IRS will provide all contact information and instructions in the letter you will receive. If we conduct your audit by mail, our letter will request additional information about certain items shown on the tax return such as income, expenses, and itemized deductions.

What is IRS penalty for private use?

“"Penalty for Private Use $300" refers to the use of penalty envelopes, cards, meter stamps, etc. by any private person, concern, or organization or for matter not relating exclusively to the business of the United States government.”

Why would I get a letter from Department of Treasury?

You might get an IRS letter or notice for several reasons other than an audit, including: You owe money. Your refund is going to be larger or smaller than you thought it would be. The agency has a question about the tax return you filed.

Where is my stimulus check?

If you're still asking yourself "where's my stimulus check," the IRS has an online tool that will let you track your payment. The tool is called the "Get My Payment" portal, and it's an updated version of the popular tool Americans used to track the status of their first-round stimulus checks.