{"id":22192,"date":"2017-12-07T13:00:32","date_gmt":"2017-12-07T19:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/newsroom\/tax-identity-theft--how-it-happens-and-how-to-fix-it\/"},"modified":"2023-03-01T13:18:15","modified_gmt":"2023-03-01T19:18:15","slug":"how-to-deal-with-tax-identity-theft","status":"publish","type":"newsroom","link":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/newsroom\/irs\/tax-fraud\/how-to-deal-with-tax-identity-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"Tax identity theft: How it happens and how to fix it"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tax identity theft is a billion-dollar industry. Each year, thieves attempt to use taxpayer information to file millions of fraudulent tax returns and receive a refund. The U.S. Treasury loses billions of dollars annually to stolen identity refund fraud  \u2013 and victims are left wondering how it happened to them and how they can fix it.<\/p>\n

Why does stolen identity refund fraud happen?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s relatively easy for a thief to file another person\u2019s tax return in today\u2019s current tax system. Thieves need only a name, Social Security number (SSN) and date of birth to file a fraudulent return. And most of the time, the thieves are untraceable.<\/p>\n

Because of the record high amount of personal data being exposed in recent data breaches involving companies and governments, thieves can find personal information pretty easily. Then, thieves can make up a W-2 and file a return claiming a big refund, which is then deposited in a bank account of their choice \u2013 all electronically.<\/p>\n

In recent months, thieves have also become successful at gaining W-2 wage information. This information supplements a name, date of birth and SSN and increases their chances of making it past IRS filters.<\/p>\n

If fraudulent returns get past IRS detection systems, thieves can successfully steal thousands of dollars per tax return. The only real challenge for tax identity thieves is to file before the taxpayer does. That\u2019s why most stolen identity refund fraud happens early in the filing season or to individuals who may no longer have a filing requirement, like retired people.<\/p>\n

How will a taxpayer know if they\u2019ve become the victim of tax identity theft?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are basically two ways to detect tax identity theft.<\/p>\n

1. The IRS rejects a taxpayer\u2019s return \u2013 because someone else already filed it.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When a taxpayer tries to e-file a return, the IRS rejects it because a return has already been filed under their name and SSN. If the taxpayer files a paper return, the IRS will send a notice letting them know the same thing. At that point, they may be confused because they haven\u2019t successfully filed yet. Chances are, they\u2019re the victim of stolen identity refund fraud.<\/p>\n

2. The IRS contacts a taxpayer about income that they didn\u2019t earn.<\/h3>\n

Employment-related tax identity theft happens when someone uses another person\u2019s SSN to get a job or otherwise earn income. It\u2019s an even bigger headache to resolve than a stolen refund. If this happens, the taxpayer will find out about it later in the year when the IRS sends a notice about additional income that was not included on the tax return. (In fact, the income is not the taxpayer\u2019s at all, but instead was earned by a thief and reported under the taxpayer\u2019s identity.)<\/p>\n

Now, the IRS is auditing the taxpayer or trying to collect taxes from them. These cases can take up to a year to resolve. During that time, victims receive IRS notices and may even have future refunds frozen until the problem is fixed.<\/p>\n

One way to combat the employment-related tax identity theft is to find out what information statements (W-2 or 1099) are being filed under a taxpayer\u2019s SSN. In July of each year, taxpayers can ask the IRS to provide wage and income transcripts. Taxpayers can order them online or by mail and the IRS will provide the transcript online or by mail.<\/p>\n

Taxpayers should review the document for any discrepancies or unfamiliar income and contact any unfamiliar payers if they don\u2019t think they should have received an information statement from them. This is a great way for taxpayers to proactively guard against someone using their SSN for employment-related tax identity theft.<\/p>\n

What victims of stolen identity refund fraud theft should do <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Victims of stolen identity refund fraud should act immediately. Here is what they should do:<\/p>\n

1. Contact the IRS.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Confirm that a return was filed using their information and register that they are a victim of tax identity theft. The IRS has a special unit to help: the Identity Protection Specialized Unit. Call (800) 908-4490, from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday-Friday.<\/p>\n

2. Complete an IRS identity theft affidavit<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

Complete IRS Form 14039<\/a>, Identity Theft Affidavit<\/em>. The IRS encourages taxpayers to report their tax identity theft to local police, the Federal Trade Commission and credit agencies. However, they don\u2019t have to attach those reports with the Form 14039.<\/p>\n

3. File the tax return<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

If their return was rejected, immediately file the tax return by mail and attach the Form 14039 and proof of identity. Victims should not wait to file. If the IRS receives the return after the tax deadline (April 17, 2018), and the taxpayer has a balance due on their return, the IRS may charge a late-filing penalty regardless of the circumstances.<\/p>\n

After taxpayers complete these steps, the IRS may send Letter CP01A<\/a> every December or early January. This letter will provide the taxpayer with an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number, or IP PIN, that they will need to use to file their tax return. Some taxpayers may receive instructions on how to retrieve an IP PIN using the IRS online retrieval system.  Without this IP PIN, the taxpayer won\u2019t be able to file electronically for that year. They\u2019ll receive a new IP PIN by mail each year.<\/p>\n

Refund delays: How long?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Victims of tax identity theft will have their refund delayed. In some cases, refund delays can reach six months or more. The length of time it will take for the IRS to resolve the case depends on case complexity and volume.<\/p>\n

An ounce of prevention: how to help better protect taxpayers from becoming victims of tax identity theft<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Taxpayers can help better protect themselves by practicing simple measures to keep their personal information private and secure. For example, taxpayers should not carry their Social Security card or give out their SSN or birth date on the phone, email, text or in public. Do not share user IDs, passwords or PINs \u2013 and make them hard to guess. Close unused credit card accounts and destroy the card. Shred documents containing personal information. Request a copy of a credit report and keep tabs on who might be accessing it.<\/p>\n

Taxpayers should also beware of scams. The IRS will always contact taxpayers by mail first about taxes owed. And the IRS will never:<\/p>\n