{"id":354010,"date":"2022-08-19T07:44:46","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/tax\/tax-problems-audits\/how-to-deal-with-tax-identity-theft.html"},"modified":"2024-03-29T09:22:36","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T14:22:36","slug":"how-to-deal-with-tax-identity-theft","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/tax\/tax-problems-audits\/how-to-deal-with-tax-identity-theft.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Deal with Tax Identity Theft"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Deal With Tax Identity Theft<\/h1>\n
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\n By J.P. Finet, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by J.P. Finet, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Tax-related identity theft typically happens when a criminal uses your Social Security number (SSN) or other personal details to submit a false tax return. These returns aim for substantial refunds that go directly to the criminals rather than the rightful taxpayer. Often, the IRS issues these fraudulent refunds before you or the agency becomes aware of the fraud.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Identifying tax-related identity theft can be difficult because the victims don’t discover the tax fraud until weeks or months after it has happened. The IRS has taken steps to fight identity theft and provide resources<\/a> to help victims resolve the problems it can create.<\/p>\r\n

The IRS May Contact You<\/h2>\r\n

The IRS operates a taxpayer protection program to help identify suspicious income tax returns filed with your name, SSN, or other taxpayer identification number<\/a>. The IRS may flag a return as suspicious for various reasons, but it will contact you if it finds any issues related to tax identity theft. If your return gets flagged, you will get an IRS notice asking you to verify your identity within 30 days.<\/p>\r\n

You can usually verify your identity by calling the IRS at the number included in the letter. You should have a copy of a filed tax return available so the IRS can use information from the return to verify your identity. If you can’t do so by phone, you must visit a taxpayer assistance center with a copy of the letter, photo identification, and the return at issue (if you filed one).<\/p>\r\n

If the IRS determines that you filed the return at issue, the agency will continue processing the return and issue you a refund if needed. If you didn’t file the return, the IRS will remove it from its records. Taxpayers who have yet to file a return may have to file their returns on paper if there is identity theft.<\/p>\r\n

Some identity theft victims will get placed in the IRS’s identity protection PIN<\/a> program, where they get a new, six-digit PIN (IP PIN) each tax year to use as authentication when working with the agency.<\/p>\r\n

Uncovering Tax-Related ID Theft<\/h2>\r\n

Most taxpayers don’t discover they are victims of tax-related identity theft until the IRS notifies them of their return issues. But, any of the following events may show that you are a victim of tax-related identity theft:<\/p>\r\n