What you need to know

In late 2015 Congress required the IRS to turn over uncollected taxes it is no longer pursuing to outside collection agencies. The agencies are now selected and in early 2017 they will begin their collection efforts. This will impact all of us. Here is what you need to know.

Turn up your scam alert – Rest assured the IRS identity scam epidemic is going to hit a new high as these scam artists now will try to impersonate collection agencies. Never pay a collection agency directly for any tax owed. Always send any payments directly to the IRS. If you do not think you owe money to the IRS, ask for help.

Four agencies have been authorized – Only four collection agencies have been authorized to contact taxpayers regarding unpaid taxes for the IRS. They are:

• Conserve – Fairport, New York
• Pioneer – Horseheads, New York
• Performant – Livemore, California
• CBE Group – Cedar Falls, Iowa

You will receive written notice…TWICE – Before an outside agency calls you, the IRS will send two written notices to you and your representative about the transfer of the bill to an outside collection agency. Without these notices, you must assume any contact with a collection agency saying they represent the IRS is a scam. Note: Make sure your address with the IRS is correct!

No payment to the agency – These collection agencies may not receive direct payment. You will be asked to use the IRS online payment system or to send your payment into the IRS. Payment is to be made to the U.S. Treasury and not to the collection agency.