Can collection agencies discover my whereabouts through the IRS?

April 6, 2006 6:22 AM

Can collection agencies discover my whereabouts through my tax filings with the IRS?
posted by anonymous to Work & Money (6 answers total)

IRS filings are supposed to be confidential and inviolate. Vote for US Representatives whose stance on privacy matters will continue this policy. Many of your current representatives are infavor of eliminatinng your privacy in the name of catching terrorists.
posted by beelzbubba at 6:40 AM on April 6, 2006

(In fact, IRS filings are supposed to be kept hidden even from other branches of the government. This comes up sometimes between the IRS and the INS — technically, illegal immigrants are still supposed to file tax returns if they work in the US. The IRS promises not to get them deported in order to encourage them to file.)
posted by nebulawindphone at 6:49 AM on April 6, 2006

Do you have any current credit accounts or bank accounts with a visa/MC debit card? If so, they know where you are. If you are totally off the grid, except that you file with the IRS I think you can remain hidden, but if you use credit in any manner you are probably pretty easy to find.
posted by caddis at 7:11 AM on April 6, 2006

If you have any utility accounts, collection agencies will find you. If you have a bank account, collection agencies will find you. If you have any police fines, collection agencies will find you. There are many, many sources to track you down and find where you live.
posted by JJ86 at 7:19 AM on April 6, 2006

I used to work in the collection department of a law firm in New York State.

Can't obtain information directly from the IRS, but if there's a judgment against you, and you use a commercial tax preparation service, there's a chance that the creditor can find out information about you from that.

But like what's been said, there are many ways to find people that don't involve the IRS. Utility accounts, credit reports, DMV registrations, employment verifications....
posted by Lucinda at 7:56 AM on April 6, 2006

It is VERY hard to hide from someone who is determined to find you. The amount of information that will come up if you do a search such as Accurint is terrifying.

I ran one on myself and learned things even I didn't know, like the names and contact information of my neighbors and cousins.

My report included my current cell phone number, despite the account being in my spouse's name.

Good luck!
posted by Sheppagus at 9:44 AM on April 7, 2006