What Does a Check Envelope From the IRS Look Like?
Distinguish official IRS check envelopes from scams. Understand key identifying features and secure steps for verifying and handling legitimate tax refunds or payments.
Identifying official mail from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), especially check envelopes, is important for financial security. Distinguishing legitimate communications from fraudulent ones is crucial. The IRS sends tax refunds, notices, and other official correspondence. Knowing the characteristics of a genuine envelope helps protect against fraud and ensures proper handling of documents.
Key Identifying Features of an Official IRS Envelope
Official IRS envelopes display several distinctive features. The return address is from the “Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service,” often with a processing center city like Austin, Kansas City, or Fresno. The envelope is standard white paper, without unusual textures, colors, or aggressive marketing language.
They feature the IRS logo and “Official Business” or “Official Business Penalty for Private Use” printed in the top-left corner. While a specific postmark is not always a definitive identifier, the overall professional appearance and absence of misspellings or grammatical errors are strong indicators of legitimacy. Most legitimate IRS mail, especially checks, arrives via standard U.S. mail, such as First-Class Mail.
What to Do Upon Receiving an IRS Check Envelope
Upon receiving an envelope that appears to be an official IRS check, open it and verify the contents. Ensure the payee name matches your legal name or the intended recipient. Confirm the amount aligns with any expected refund or payment.
If the check appears legitimate and matches your records, promptly deposit it into your bank account. Keep a copy or record for your files. If the check seems suspicious, the amount is unexpected, or details do not align with your tax situation, do not cash or deposit it. Verify its legitimacy through official IRS channels before taking further action.
Verifying IRS Communications
If you doubt the legitimacy of an IRS communication, including a check envelope, verify it. IRS.gov is the primary source for information and verification. Find official IRS contact numbers directly on IRS.gov, rather than using numbers provided in questionable mail, as scammers often include fake contact information.
The IRS typically initiates contact by mail, not by unexpected phone calls, emails, or text messages. The IRS will never demand immediate payment via unusual methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. They will also not threaten arrest or deportation for unpaid taxes. If a communication includes these red flags, it is likely a scam. Suspected IRS scams can be reported to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).