AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/irs-contact

A caller says they're from the IRS and you owe taxes. How does the real IRS normally contact you first?

The real IRS normally reaches you first by a mailed letter, not a surprise call, text, or DM.

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  1. A phone call
  2. A letter in the mail ✔
  3. An email or text message

Why: The IRS normally contacts you the first time by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. A surprise contact that rushes you, threatens you, or demands payment right now is a scam warning sign. A social media message is never from the IRS.

Huh, didn't know that: A social media message is never from the IRS.

The dad joke
What do pelicans and the IRS have in common? They both have huge bills.
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References

Answer: A letter in the mail. The IRS normally contacts you the first time by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. A surprise contact that rushes you, threatens you, or demands payment right now is a scam warning sign. A social media message is never from the IRS.

  1. IRS: How to know it's the IRS www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs
    We normally contact you the first time by mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. IRS: Social Media Direct Messages www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs
    A social media direct message is never from us.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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That's stuff everyone should know.