Identity Theft and the I.R.S.
Identity Theft and the I.R.S.
April 15 is approaching and everyone has either filed or tried to file their taxes and/or their extensions. For some of you this filing came with some unexpected news – your have been a victim of IRS Identity Theft. Along with all of the enjoyments and benefits of modern technology in our world there has been created a large and ominous very real threat for all of us – Identity Theft! Stolen credit card information and social security thefts are the most known problems. The stealing of an identity with the IRS has become a very real problem and one that requires immediate and long term attention. The following are the steps that should be attempted in order to remediate the situation:
Notification
In many cases, when someone files a tax return using your Social Security number, you won’t learn of it until after the second return is filed. When the IRS receives two different returns with the same Social Security number, the second return filed will be rejected if you e-filed or if you paper-filed you’ll get a written notice that explains that a return has already been filed. Even if you don’t get a letter from the IRS but suspect a fraudulent return has been filed with your information, you can still take action.
IRS Form 14039
When you discover another a tax return has been filed with your Social Security number, you’ll use IRS Form 14039 to alert the IRS. When you complete this form, you’ll indicate that someone has stolen your identity and it has affected your tax account since they have filed a return using your identifying information. You’ll also provide information about the tax year affected and the last return you filed prior to the identity theft.
Sending Form 14039
After you complete Form 14039, mail it to the IRS with a copy of your Social Security card and driver’s license. If you don’t have a driver’s license, you can substitute a U.S. Passport, military ID or other government-issued identification card.
If you received an IRS notice concerning the fraudulent return, include a copy of the notice. Mail the form and documents to the address shown in your notice.
If you did not receive an IRS notice, mail your documents to:
- Internal Revenue Service
- P.O. Box 9039
- Andover, MA 01810-0939
Request for Identity Verification from the IRS
When the IRS stops a suspicious tax return filing, they may send a letter called “Letter 5071C“ asking that you verify your identity. It will include a couple ways to verify it: via a phone number or through the IRS’s Identity Verfication Service, https://idverify.irs.gov.
This online service is the quickest method and will ask you multiple-choice questions to verify whether or not the tax return flagged for further identity verification was filed by you or someone else. The IRS only sends such notices by mail. The IRS will not request that you verify your identity by contacting you by phone or through email. If you receive such calls or emails, they are likely a scam.
If you can’t confirm your identity using the IRS’ online Identity Verification Service, you can call the IRS at the phone number included in the letter.
When confirming your identity, you will need:
- Your name, date of birth and contact information
- Social security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)
- Your prior year tax return along with supporting documents such as W-2s, 1099s, and Schedules A and C if you filed them
Additional precautions
When someone has enough of your personal information to file a fraudulent tax return, she can use your identity to commit other crimes. In addition to alerting the IRS, you should place a freeze on your credit report file with all three credit bureaus to prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened. The Federal Trade Commission also suggests filing an identity theft report with your local police department.
For more information or to discuss any of your tax needs please contact the Law Office of Robert Housman
310-276-3550
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