IRS OFFERS TIPS TO AVOID SCAMS AS TAX SEASON APPROACHES

As tax season approaches, the IRS and Security Summit partners warn taxpayers, and tax professionals to watch out for emerging scams by email, text, phone

With identity thieves constantly changing tactics to try to steal information from taxpayers and businesses, the IRS reminds people to watch out for a variety of aggressive schemes that can surface by email, by text, over the phone or through the mail.

Identity thieves also use recent news events, including tragedies, to try tricking taxpayers.

And in another common tax season scam, identity thieves will pose as new, potential clients to tax professionals by email or over the phone in hopes of obtaining access to company systems.

Ultimately, successful attempts to get this information means fraudsters can try filing fake tax returns with a goal of getting a refund.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said that with people anxious to receive the latest information about a refund or other issues during tax season, scammers will regularly pose as the IRS, a state tax agency or others in the tax industry.

Signs that a scam may be underway, including Taxpayers receiving a tax transcript in the mail from the IRS that was not ordered.

Or Taxpayers receiving an unrequested Employer Identification Number.

Taxpayers receiving W-2’s from an unknown employer.

Or unexpectedly getting a notice or an email from a tax preparation company that is:
Confirming access to an existing online account.
Disabling an existing online account.
Confirming a new online account.
Additional tax is owed.

A refund was offset because of a balance due.
Collection actions have been taken.

Generally, the IRS starts with a mailed paper bill to a person who owes taxes. If a taxpayer wants to verify what taxes they owe the IRS, they should view tax account information. But they should not click on links in emails or texts saying they owe a bill.

Taxpayers who believe they’re victims of tax-related identity theft – and who have not received an IRS letter alerting them to ID theft – should complete Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.

The best way taxpayers can protect their personal information when filing their returns is to get an IRS Identity Protection PIN.

An IP PIN protects a taxpayer’s account, even if they don’t need to file a tax return, by rejecting any e-filed tax return filed not using the unique PIN.

New IP PINs are sent automatically from the IRS every year for added security. Once an individual enrolls in the IP PIN program, there is no way to opt out.

To obtain an IP PIN, taxpayers can visit the IRS online tool Get an IP PIN.