These are people claiming to be the IRS and yes if you answer the phone it is a recording and no one is there.  They are hoping you will call them back so they can try and scam some money out of you.  The IRS does NOT handle things in this manor.  Look up the number 917-563-9660.  There is more info there and I believe it is the same idiots.  

Just received the same call.  Twice yesterday from 917-563-9660 about 1.5 hours apart, I blocked that number and reported them.  I guess I will do the same with this number.  

They called my wife 3 times about 1 1\2 he's apart same scam

Yes - they claimed to be IRS and that the police would be letting me know when I asked them what they were calling about.

There is a widespread IRS or "tax scam" being  practiced by scammers on both Canadian and USA residents.
USA tax payers should read this:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Reiterate ... -Telephone-Scam

Short answer:
The IRS never initiates a contact via phone.
They always send a snailmail first.

Educational post:
This scam is also described as scam #11, here:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts_rev.html

If you were contacted by an IRS impostor, you may file a report, by clicking on this link:
http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml