Although tax season has come and gone the growing problem of identity theft has now become an on-going part of the tax season culture. With the allowance of our unregulated “free for all” electronic filing system it will get worse each year. Because of this enormous problem the IRS has been defrauded out of billions of dollars. Something effective and efficient needs to take place as soon as possible to help stop this increasing dilemma.
According to a recently released report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the IRS has made some progress in assisting the innocent victims of income tax identity theft in getting their legitimate refunds. However, it still takes, on average, 278 days to resolve the claim although the IRS routinely tells taxpayers that they can expect their claims to be resolved within 180 days.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of income tax identity theft the following procedures will help you to get control of this terrible situation before the next tax filing year.
First you want to make a police report with your local police authority. Secondly, you want to prepare IRS Identity Theft Affidavit Form 14039 and attach it and the police report to a paper tax return and mail them to the IRS. Your case will then be assigned to an IRS employee to assist you with clearing your name and getting your refund.
As a victim of identity theft, you also are eligible to receive an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) to use for future income tax returns to protect you from becoming a victim again of income tax identity theft. A different IP PIN will be mailed to you each filing year. Also make sure you check your credit reports for all three credit reporting agencies and freeze your credit so that no one can use your credit.
Remember stay informed and stay safe.
