How fast are you? If you've ever been in debt and had a collection agency hounding you then you know they have resources that allow them to track you down.
Now imagine the IRS, the most powerful collection agency in the country, looking for you.
Not only does the IRS have access to even more resources than the best collection agencies, they can get around many of the laws that regular collection agencies can't.
Knowing that, do you really think you can hide from the IRS if you owe them money? Everybody knows...
Before I go into some of the more specific techniques that the IRS can use let's take a look at the mile wide trail you leave through the public record every day.
If you have a job, a driver's license, or a bank account you have to give your current address.
Even if you just moved and haven't updated that information your prior addresses from the last 10 years are part of the public record.
So even if the IRS doesn't know your current location, chances are there is someone who does and one of those people will give you up.
So outside of the public record, how else can the IRS track you down? They know you better than...
The IRS has access to your full credit report, and that can go a long way towards finding you.
Your credit report contains your full consumer information.
That includes any loans or debts you have; your employer, and any payment and other financial information.
The IRS can also use your credit report to verify if you are eligible for a Currently non Collectible or Offer in Compromise.
You know yourself...
Other resources at the IRS's disposal to track you down include your State's Employment Commission.
This way the IRS doesn't even need to know your home address, they can just pay you a visit at work.
Old favorites...
There are also the traditional Postal Service and Department of Motor Vehicles.
While they are a bit antiquated they are updating themselves into the 21st century which means tracking you down is that much easier.
Don't forget about utility, phone, and cable companies.
Your cell phone company is a great way for the IRS to find out where you live.
And since they have access to your credit report they know who you have a cell phone contract with.
You just can't shake them...
In short you can not run or hide from the IRS.
The best thing you can do if you don't want to make a bad situation worse is to just face the IRS and work out some way of taking care of your debt.
And on a side note...
the IRS does not need a summons, court order, or written permission from you to carry out any of these actions.
Now you have the smoking gun...
Use it!