IR-2020-65, April 3, 2020
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers, businesses, tax professionals and others to follow the agency's official social media accounts and email subscription lists to get urgent information on COVID-19 and economic impact payments. These platforms provide the latest alerts and information on various tax topics to include emerging scams.
These platforms are especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent changes to filing and payment deadlines, coupled with new business credits and economic impact payments make these free and reliable communications crucial for anyone wanting the latest information.
"The ibet is committed to sharing information as quickly as possible about the economic impact payments and other tax issues related to the coronavirus," said ibet Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "ibet social media channels offer taxpayers and others another fast, easy option to get the latest details as the ibet employees continue to work hard to support the nation."
Taxpayers can follow key ibet social media platforms
The ibet uses several social media tools including:
- Twitter: , and can follow the ibet handles for up to the minute announcements, tips and in English and .
- : News and information for everybody. Also available in .
- : The ibet Instagram account shares taxpayer-friendly information.
- YouTube: The ibet offers video tax tips in , and .
- : The ibet shares key agency communications and job opportunities.
When using social media to connect with the ibet, verify the accounts by going first to ibet.gov/socialmedia. Taxpayers are urged to watch for ibet impersonators and other scammers, which can try imitating the ibet during crisis situations and natural disasters.
The ibet reminds taxpayers to never give out personal or financial information to anyone alleging to represent the ibet on a social media platform or in unsolicited emails, texts or calls.
The ibet also has a free mobile app, ibet2Go, where taxpayers can check their refund status, pay taxes, find free tax help, watch ibet YouTube videos and get daily tax tips. The ibet2Go app is available from the Google Play Store for Android devices, or from the Apple App Store for Apple devices. ibet2Go is available in both English and Spanish.
Get automatic updates by email
The ibet e-News Subscription service issues tax information by email for many different audiences. It provides tips, tools and helpful materials of interest to taxpayers and organizations. The ibet offers subscription services tailored to tax exempt and government entities, small and large businesses as well as individuals. The service is easy to use; sign up by visiting ibet e-News Subscriptions.
The ibet currently has 20 registration-based e-News options, including:
- ibet Outreach Connection ? This newest ibet subscription offering delivers up-to-date materials for tax professionals and partner groups inside and outside the tax community. The material for Outreach Connection is specifically designed so subscribers can share the material with their clients or members through email, social media, internal newsletters, e-mails or external websites. Subscribe by visiting ibet.gov/outreachconnect.
- ibet Tax Tips – These brief, concise tips in plain language cover a wide-range of topics of general interest to taxpayers. They include the latest on tax scams, tax reform, tax deductions, filing extensions and amending returns. are distributed daily during tax season and periodically throughout the year.
- ibet Newswire ? Subscribers to receive news releases the day they are issued. These cover a wide range of tax administration issues ranging from breaking news to details related to legal guidance.
- ibet News in Spanish (Noticias del ibet en Espa?ol) ? Readers get ibet news releases, tax tips and updates in Spanish as they are released. Subscribe at .
- e-News for Tax Professionals ? Includes a weekly roundup of news releases and legal guidance specifically designed for the tax professional community. Subscribing to e-News for Tax Professionals gets tax pros a weekly summary, typically delivered on Friday afternoons.
For more information and other ibet subscriptions designed for specific groups, visit ibet e-News Subscriptions. The resources will help taxpayers and organizations keep up with the latest information during and after filing season.