Can the IRS Visit Me At My Home? 4 Important Things To Know
The IRS usually limits its contact with taxpayers with mailed letters, so what do you do if the IRS comes knocking on your door? Is that legal? Can the IRS visit you at your home?
If you want the short answer, then yes. Depending on the circumstances, the IRS can legally come to your house or business.
In this article, we’ll cover
- Why an IRS agent would visit your residence
- Does the IRS has the authority to arrest you
- What to do if an IRS agent shows up at your door, and
- How to prevent future visits from the IRS
Why Would An IRS Agent Visit My Home?
There are several situations where an IRS agent can visit you: during a tax audit, collection of unpaid employment taxes, and criminal investigations.
But, for an IRS agent to visit you, you must have received multiple notices from the IRS in the mail. The agent may visit your residence to confirm you’ve received the letters and phone calls.
Can The IRS Arrest Me?
The majority of tax cases are civil cases, which means you can’t be jailed for owing money to the IRS. That said however, you can still go to jail for tax-related offenses.
As we explained in this article, whether you get arrested or not boils down to intention. You won’t be jailed for making a calculation or error in filing your taxes. Will you face penalties and interest charges? Probably, unless you request tax return abatement. But you won’t be incarcerated for making an accidental mistake.
If the IRS finds out you’ve been intentionally avoiding taxes, committing tax fraud, or purposefully lying on tax returns (along with other possible offenses), you can face a criminal trial and potential jail time.
Though not filing a tax return is illegal, it’s rare for someone to face jail time for not filing their return. Technically, federal law states one can face up to a year in jail and up to $25,000 in fines for not filing a tax return, however here at TaxRise, we consider this to be a rare occurrence.
Except in very few circumstances, unless the IRS agent has an arrest warrant, they can’t arrest you. Refusing to speak to the agents without a lawyer present isn’t resisting arrest.
What To Do If An IRS Agent Comes To Your House?
The option most suggest is to politely ask the IRS agent to leave and have your attorney contact them. Many advise avoiding dealing with the IRS directly due to the leverage they hold in tax matters.
If you don’t need representation in tax court, TaxRise can help! Check out our free tax consultation and we’ll determine the best course of action for you.
How Can I Prevent House Visits From The IRS?
To prevent house visits from the IRS in the future, make sure to properly file your paperwork and tax returns on time. Additionally, if you have any income or businesses outside America, be sure to file the proper documents for those as well.
If you fall behind on filing your taxes, the Fresh Start Program may be able to help. This program is solely designed to provide tax relief to struggling taxpayers. Created in 2011, this initiative can help get your finances back on track.
The Takeaway
If you’re under pressure from the IRS, check out TaxRise’s free tax consultation. From this 30-minute call, you’ll be able to determine if you qualify for our services and which tax relief program will work best for your unique situation.
We represent taxpayers who are in hot water with the IRS. We ensure the best relief outcome possible while saving you time, stress, and money.
TaxRise has helped thousands of taxpayers just like you resolve their tax issues and erase their tax liability.
Book your call and get started today!
