RSM US is a large accounting and consulting firm, not a government program

RSM US is a private accounting, tax, and consulting company. It is not a government agency, and it does not run benefit programs or handle tax refunds. RSM US works with businesses and individuals who hire them for services like tax preparation, audit, bookkeeping, and business consulting. If you are reading about RSM US because you received a letter or email claiming to be from them, or because you are trying to understand a tax or accounting matter, this guide explains what the company actually does and how it fits into the tax and accounting world.

Understanding the difference between a private accounting firm and a government tax agency matters because scammers sometimes use real company names to trick people. Knowing what RSM US actually does — and what it does not do — helps you spot whether contact you receive is legitimate.

Key Takeaways

  • RSM US is a private firm that provides tax, audit, and consulting services to clients who pay for those services — it is not a government tax agency.
  • You would work with RSM US only if you or your business hired them directly, or if your employer or another organization you work with hired them on your behalf.
  • RSM US does not process tax refunds, issue stimulus payments, or run programs that send money to individuals.
  • If you received contact from someone claiming to represent RSM US about money owed or a tax matter, verify the contact directly with RSM US before responding.
  • The IRS, your state tax agency, and your employer are the bodies that handle your tax filing and refunds — not RSM US.

What RSM US actually does

RSM US provides accounting and tax services to businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who hire them. The company has offices across the United States and handles work like preparing tax returns, conducting audits, setting up accounting systems, and advising on business structure and tax strategy. When a business or individual hires RSM US, they pay the firm a fee for these services.

RSM US is one of many private accounting firms in the country. Other large firms in the same category include Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC. All of these are private companies that sell services to clients. None of them are government agencies, and none of them handle tax refunds or government benefit programs. They compete with each other and with smaller local accounting firms for business clients.

When you might actually work with RSM US

You would work with RSM US in a few real situations. If you own a business and hired RSM US to prepare your business tax return or conduct an audit, you would have a direct relationship with them. If you work for a large company and that company hired RSM US to audit the company's books or handle some accounting function, RSM US might be involved in work that touches your payroll or benefits, but you would not be paying them directly.

Some employers also hire accounting firms to help with employee tax withholding or to set up retirement plans. In those cases, RSM US might be working behind the scenes, but your employer is the one who hired them and pays them. You would know about this because your employer would tell you, or you would see RSM US mentioned in plan documents or communications from your HR department. You would not work with RSM US because you filed a tax return with the IRS, received a refund, or are owed money by the government. Those matters are handled by the IRS and your state tax agency, not by private accounting firms.

How RSM US differs from the IRS and tax agencies

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is a federal government agency that collects taxes, processes tax returns, and issues refunds. Your state also has a tax agency — often called the Department of Revenue or similar — that handles state income tax. These are government bodies with legal authority to collect taxes and enforce tax law. They are funded by tax dollars and operate under federal and state law.

RSM US is a private business. It has no authority to collect taxes, issue refunds, or enforce tax law. If the IRS or your state tax agency needs to contact you about your taxes, they will do so directly, not through a private accounting firm. If you owe taxes or are owed a refund, the government agency handles that — not a private firm. The only time a private firm would be involved is if you hired them yourself to help you prepare your return or respond to a tax notice.

Red flags if someone claims to be from RSM US

Scammers sometimes use the names of real companies, including accounting firms, to trick people. If you received a call, email, or letter claiming to be from RSM US about a tax matter, money you owe, or a refund you are owed, be cautious. Legitimate contact from RSM US would come only if you or your organization hired them. Unsolicited contact about taxes or money is almost always a scam.

If you are unsure whether contact is real, do not click links or call numbers in the message. Instead, go to the RSM US website directly (rsmus.com) and look for contact information there, or call the main office number and ask whether the person or matter is real. The IRS also has a page on its website about how to report tax scams. Real tax agencies like the IRS typically contact people by mail first, not by phone or email. If someone calls claiming to be from the IRS and threatening when ready action, that is almost always a scam.

What to do if you have a tax or accounting question

If you have a question about your own taxes, start with the IRS website (irs.gov) or your state tax agency website. Both offer free information and forms. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with general questions. If you need help preparing your own tax return, you can hire a tax professional — which might be a CPA, an enrolled agent, or a tax preparation service. You would choose and pay that person or service yourself.

If you work for a company and have a question about your paycheck, withholding, or benefits, ask your human resources or payroll department. They can tell you whether an outside firm like RSM US is involved and what that means for you. Your employer's HR team is always your first point of contact for questions about how your pay or benefits are handled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is RSM US a government agency?

No. RSM US is a private accounting and consulting firm. The government agencies that handle taxes are the IRS (federal) and your state's tax agency. If you need to contact a government tax agency, go to irs.gov or your state's tax website.

Can RSM US issue me a tax refund or tell me if I am owed money?

No. Only the IRS and your state tax agency can issue refunds or determine what you owe or are owed. If you want to know about a refund, contact the IRS directly through irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040.

I received a letter from RSM US — what should I do?

If you did not hire RSM US yourself, and your employer did not tell you they hired RSM US, the letter may not be legitimate. Do not respond to any requests for money or personal information. Contact RSM US directly using the phone number on their official website to verify whether the letter is real.

What is the difference between RSM US and a CPA or tax preparer I hire myself?

RSM US is a large firm that works mainly with businesses and organizations. If you need personal tax help, you can hire a CPA, enrolled agent, or tax preparation service directly. You would pay them a fee, and they would prepare your return or answer your questions. That is a direct business relationship between you and the person or firm you hired.

Should I hire RSM US to prepare my taxes?

That is a choice you would make based on your needs and budget. RSM US primarily serves businesses and large organizations, not individual tax filers. For personal tax return preparation, you might look at local CPAs, enrolled agents, or tax preparation services that focus on individual returns. Compare fees and services before you decide.