Any time you owe back taxes you should be worried and it is always better to be proactive. You should be even more worried now because the IRS is implementing a new Private Debt Collection program.  The first one lasted a year and the second one three years.  The IRS says it is putting in more stringent controls this time to stop any abuse. Here’s what you need to know about this new program:  (1) It is supposed to start in the early part of this year; (2) The primary purpose is to locate “missing” taxpayers, i.e. those not in active collections; (3) They will not have enforcement powers (i.e. levy, lien); (4) You can still contact the IRS for help even if contacted by the debt collector; (5) The IRS will notify you before a debt collector calls; and (6) those in economic hardship aren’t included in the program.