IRS Ends Unannounced Home Visits to Taxpayers, Citing Safety Concerns

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that it will "end most" unannounced visits by agency revenue officers to taxpayers' homes in order to address public confusion and enhance overall safety measures. The change, which reverses a decades-long practice, aims to increase confidence in tax administration work and protect taxpayers and IRS employees. Instead of unannounced visits, taxpayers will receive appointment letters to schedule face-to-face meetings. The IRS will only continue unannounced visits in rare instances, such as service of summonses and subpoenas or sensitive enforcement activities involving asset seizure. The National Treasury Employees Union supports the decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting IRS employees in an increasingly dangerous environment.