Letâs face it. No one likes finding out that they owe money to the IRS come April. But for some Americans, tax payments will be the least of their worries this year when they learn that someone else has already filed taxes in their name. This type of tax fraud is a common result of identity theft.
Typically driven by the desire to obtain a fraudulent refund or the need to prove eligibility for employment, this form of identity theft has become increasingly common in recent years and can result in serious consequences for the victim. It’s bad enough to be flagged by the IRS for an audit, but the problems stemming from tax-related identity theft can create a whole new set of problems.
Some problems stemming from tax-related fraud include:
- Delay or denial of tax funds
- Assessment of new tax debts based on income reflected on the fraudulent filerâs return
- Loss of entitlements, such as unemployment and disability benefits
- Need to prove oneâs identity to the IRS year after year
- Damaged credit history and score
ID theft expert Brian Lapidus, chief operating officer of Krollâs Fraud Solutions, highlights the warning signs of tax-related fraud and offers some important advice for those consumers who suspect that their tax information has been compromised. At Kroll, Lapidus oversees a highly-skilled team that includes veteran licensed investigators who meet regularly with IRS agents to stay apprised of emergent tax fraud issues â’ bolstering the teamâs specialized work supporting breach victims and restoring individuals’ compromised identities to pre-theft status.
Signs You May be a Victim of Tax-Related Fraud
1. You are unable to file your return electronically because the IRS is stating a prior return has already been filed that included your SSN.
Take Action:
- Submit your return by paper and include proof of SSN ownership (i.e., a registered letter from the Social Security Administration)
- Get a copy of your credit report, consider getting a copy of your credit score, and look into identify-theft credit monitoring.
2. You have received a W2 or 1099 form from a company with whom you have never been employed nor had a financial relationship.
Take action:
- Contact the company in question by phone, with a follow-up letter, to request a corrected W2 or 1099, maintaining call notes and copies of all related documentation. If receipt of document was not due to an error by reporting company, file a police report.
- Maintain records of all correspondence until you receive a notice from the IRS.
3. You received a notice from the IRS advising you of unclaimed wages or income.
Take action:
- Contact the assigned IRS agent listed on the notification. He/she will work with you to ensure that you are not held liable for any fraud-related or errant wages/earnings.
- If you do not notify the IRS of a dispute, the IRS will assume the reporting is accurate. As a result, the wages/income will be processed and the IRS will send you a bill. Continued failure to notify the IRS can result in wage garnishment or tax levies.
- Follow all instructions and provide all information or documentation to the assigned IRS agent, as requested.
NOTE: If you have been contacted by the IRS (upon receipt of a notice), but have not received timely or satisfactory assistance, you may be eligible for assistance from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). Call (877) 777-4778 for more information.
Author: Jeremy Vohwinkle
My name is Jeremy Vohwinkle, and I’ve spent a number of years working in the finance industry providing financial advice to regular investors and those participating in employer-sponsored retirement plans.
