The IRS doesn’t accept iTunes gift cards.

I’ll say it again: the IRS doesn’t accept iTunes gift cards.

“But wait,” some might say, “what about iTunes gift cards?”

NO. You can’t pay your tax bill with iTunes gift cards. Or any other gift cards.

The IRS has never allowed you to pay your taxes with an iTunes gift card. They are never going to let you pay your taxes with an iTunes gift card. iTunes gift cards come from Apple Inc. They are not money. They are not legal tender for any debts, public or private. They can only be used to buy digital goods from one company.

It’s Tax Season 2018, and the scam calls are already in full swing. “This is the IRS. You owe x dollars in back taxes and you’re going to go to jail unless you pay right now. Go buy some iTunes gift cards, then call me back with the numbers from those cards.”

That’s the gist of the calls. And they’re a scam. It doesn’t matter what Caller ID says, it doesn’t matter who the caller claims to be. The IRS doesn’t call you (or email) out of the blue demanding immediate payment. The IRS doesn’t open with “you’re going to jail.” And the IRS does not, has never, and never will accept iTunes gift cards (or any prepaid card) or wire transfers as payment for taxes owed.

This has been a very repetitive article, but the message is important and can not be repeated enough: the IRS does not accept iTunes gift cards.