Taxpayers have been told for years that the IRS never sends a text message. But under the 2026 digital rules, they can reach out for three specific reasons.
If a text message claiming to be from the IRS pops up on your computer or phone, most people probably just delete it and block the number. That’s usually the smart thing to do. After all, the IRS famously warns that it "will not contact [you] by text message or social media." In fact, according to the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, almost 25% of Americans have reported being victimized by tax scams, including spoofed text messages and QR codes.
But deleting too quickly might cause you to miss a legitimate government notification — or, worse, an alert that a scammer is trying to compromise your tax data. Add to that confusion is the fact that the IRS can now text you. The IRS has introduced three very specific reasons it will text your mobile phone, and one glaringly obvious reason it still won’t. Here's how to know who's on the other side of that "message received" prompt.
The IRS began rolling out SMS text messaging in the last eight years or so. Things like opt-in account updates, initiated system reminders, and requested callback confirmations that may have required paper letters or wait times in the past may now land in your digital inbox.
However, there are two important caveats to receiving an IRS text message.
First, the IRS will only text you if you opt in. Second, the federal tax agency uses strict, dedicated short codes (the number sending it) to send texts to your phone. So if you receive a text claiming to be from the IRS via a standard 10-digit phone number, it's most likely a fake. Here are the legitimate short codes:
• Short code 91040: Used for official IRS news bulletins (like changes in the tax code), appointment reminders, account notifications, and one-time security codes.
• Short code 34381: Reserved for IRS customer service callback reminders.
Even though these are the primary codes deployed by the agency, the list could expand as digital services evolve.
Remember: The IRS will never text you for personal or financial account information, payments, or passwords. These are always handled by snail mail. So even if a message appears to come from a verified short code, be careful: sophisticated scammers can make them look legitimate. In addition, receiving an unexpected short-code text — like a sudden two-factor authentication code you never requested — doesn't necessarily mean the message itself is fake. It could just be a sign that a hacker is attempting to breach your online IRS portal account. So, be sure to never give that IRS portal account security code to any individual, even if they claim to be an IRS agent. If you suspect fraudulent activity, log directly into your IRS portal to check your account status.
To keep your identity and wallet safe, here are three main reasons you might receive a text claiming to be from the IRS, and one reason you won't.
1) You subscribed to IRS news bulletins - Not very many people realize you can subscribe to direct IRS communications and receive a text message.
Everything from new tax law regulations (like those governing the recently launched Trump Accounts) to IRS criminal investigation tax case highlights can be delivered right to your inbox. You initially subscribe to these notifications via email (usually coming from irs@service.govdelivery.com). However, the IRS system allows you to opt in to text alerts as well. If you decide to receive IRS bulletins via text, the updates will always come from the secure short code 91040. A different number delivering the tax law updates is likely a phishing attempt designed to steal your information.
2) You have an upcoming IRS appointment - If you schedule an in-person meeting at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, you can opt in to receive text confirmations and scheduling updates about that appointment. The IRS will also text you a notification once you're checked in at the building or when it is your turn to be seen. These automated operational texts will also come from short code 91040. However, scammers can use fake IRS appointment reminders to trick you into "confirming your appointment" by clicking a link or handing over personal or financial information. So, to be safe, never click a text link. Instead, log directly into your secure IRS online account to verify your appointment status. If you're still unsure, call the IRS customer service line directly at 1-800-829-1040 to double-check your appointment time.
3) You requested an IRS callback - Holding on the line for an IRS agent can take forever. The Taxpayer Advocate Service reports that taxpayers this past filing season had more difficulty reaching the federal tax agency than last year, with an average reported wait time of 14 minutes (up from 8 minutes). Only about 21% of calls were even answered by an agent.
To address this problem, the IRS offers a digital callback service for select high-volume phone topics, like refund inquiries and how to pay the IRS if you owe taxes. So instead of waiting on hold, you can opt in to receive a text when an agent is ready to call you back. These text alerts generally only come from short code 34381.
Of course, scammers can also take advantage of this method as well. So, you can usually verify the text by its timing, which means the message should arrive within a predictable window after you personally initiated a call to the IRS. If you just get a random "callback" text out of the blue, it's probably not valid.
Here’s the important part: Although the IRS will text you for administrative and scheduling updates you opt into, the federal tax agency will never initiate a text message demanding payment. Text tax scams are typically a claim that you owe back taxes, have an "unclaimed refund" waiting to be deposited, or must urgently click a link to "fix" a suspended account, per the IRS' latest Dirty Dozen report. Remember that legitimate IRS texts will never feature hostile, high-pressure language like "pay now or face arrest," nor will they send unexpected links or attachments. Legitimate federal tax agency communications almost always arrive first through physical mail by the U.S. Postal Service until you sign up for texts.
And if an unsolicited message lands on your phone offering "free tax advice," demanding your Social Security number, or asking you to scan a QR code, do not engage. Instead, take a screenshot (or copy the text) and forward it to phishing@irs.gov with the following information.
• Subject line: "Text."
• Sender's phone number and your phone number
• Date, time, and time zone received.
Then forward the text to 7726 to alert your mobile carrier and delete the message.