If someone claiming to be from the government calls and asks you to participate in a survey, one red flag will signal it’s a hoax.
While it’s true that IRS will soon begin conducting its annual telephone survey of small business and self-employed taxpayers, callers will not ask for any personal or financial info. That includes Social Security or Employer Identification Numbers, or banking or credit card data. If a caller asks for any of that info, hang up and call your local IRS office and/or police immediately – it’s probably an identity thief.
Here’s how else you can tell if a request to participate is legit:
1. Taxpayers selected at random to participate in the survey will receive an advance letter from the survey contractor, Pacific Market Research (PMR).
2. The PMR letter will also include a note from Small Business/Self-Employed Commissioner Christopher Wagner, explaining the purpose and importance of the survey.
3. PMR will conduct the surveys by telephone only, with each interview typically lasting about 15 to 18 minutes.
The official survey is for taxpayers filing certain forms, including 1120, 1120S, 1065 and 1040 with Schedules C, E or F. Participation is voluntary, and all responses remain anonymous to IRS. The agency expects to continue the surveys through mid-April.
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