False IRS Email Declaring Audit

(PYA Alert dated January 30, 2008)

If you receive an email appearing to be from the IRS notifying you of an upcoming audit, know that it’s false. The IRS does not notify individuals or businesses of tax audits via email. A further warning sign of a false email is that it may include an attachment, which could contain a virus. The website links represented in the fraudulent email appear to be to the IRS website, and the underlying website itself looks authentic.

Use caution if you receive an email similar to the one below. The IRS also urges you to report this type of activity to them at 1-800-829-1040.

----------EXAMPLE------------
From: Internal Revenue Service [mailto:support@irs.gov]
Sent: January 18, 2008 10:52 AM
To:
Subject: Audit and Examination procedure scheduled for Client

Dear Client,
After reviewing your latest Tax declaration forms, our office decided to schedule an Audit and Examination procedure of your tax declaration and income forms.

In order to view the date scheduled for your Audit and necessary documents for Examination, as well as a list of IRS officers, please visit: http://www.irs.gov/payroll/information/form1.asp?download=48.

Other false IRS email scams have been reported by taxpayers, including email notifications of potential tax refunds.

If you have questions or concerns about IRS emails you receive or other potentially fraudulent scams involving taxing authorities, please contact Doug Yoakley or Heather Martin at (800) 270-9629.

WE ARE REQUIRED BY IRS CIRCULAR 230 TO INFORM YOU THAT THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION WAS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND IT CANNOT BE USED, NOR RELIED UPON, BY ANY TAXPAYER FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING ANY PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED UNDER FEDERAL TAX LAW. THE ADVICE WAS WRITTEN TO SUPPORT THE PROMOTION OR MARKETING OF THE TRANSACTIONS OR MATTERS ADDRESSED IN THE DISCUSSION. EACH TAXPAYER SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON ITS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.

The information provided via PYA Alert, Tax Planning Alert, or Audit and Accounting Alert should not be construed as accounting, auditing, consulting, or legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information purposes only.  Please contact us at (800) 270-9629 to discuss your specific situation or to discuss any specific questions you may have.

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