25.23.13 Income Related Identity Theft

Manual Transmittal

September 04, 2024

Purpose

(1) This transmits revised IRM 25.23.13, Identity Protection and Victim Assistance, Income Related Identity Theft.

Material Changes

(1) IRM 25.23.13.1.2(2) Added the required TAS paragraph

(2) IRM 25.23.13.1.4 Added acronym TS (Taxpayer Services)

(3) IRM 25.23.13.2.1(4) Exception removed. IPU 24U0137 issued 01-26-2024.

(4) IRM 25.23.13.2.1(5) Added new note and scenario to table.IPU 24U0766 issued 06-14-2024

(5) IRM 25.23.13.2.1(6) Removed paragraph 6 the instructions are in paragraph 8 and subsequent renumbering of paragraphs. IPU 24U0137 issued 01-26-2024

(6) IRM 25.23.13.2.1(7) Added new box (2) with directions for IRS identified income related not affecting tax administration involving a prisoner. IPU 24U0137 issued 01-26-2024

(7) IRM 25.23.13.2.1(7) Added new scenarios and note for INVALID and TIN perfected to table and subsequent renumbering of table. IPU 24U0766 issued 06-14-2024

(8) IRM 25.23.13.2.1.1 Added new Subsection for Income Related Identity Theft (IDT) Involving an EIN/Business. IPU 23U1144 issued 12-01-2023

(9) IRM 25.23.13.3(9) Added Closing procedures for INVALID income. IPU 24U0766 issued 06-14-2024

(10) IRM 25.23.13.3(10) Added Closing procedures for TIN Perfected income and subsequent renumbering of paragraphs. IPU 24U0766 issued 06-14-2024

(11) IRM 25.23.13 Various editorial changes and IRM cross references updated throughout entire IRM. IPU 24U0766 issued 06-14-2024

(12) IRM 25.23.13 Revised throughout to update organization title Wage and Investment to Taxpayer Services. IPU 24U0766 issued 06-14-2024

Effect on Other Documents

This IRM supersedes IRM 25.23.13 effective 10-01-2023 and incorporates Income Related Identity Theft IRM Procedural Updates (IPUs):

IPU 23U0137 issued 12-01-2023
IPU 24U0137 issued 01-26-2024
IPU 24U0766 issued 06-14-2024

Audience

The provisions in this manual apply to all divisions, functions units, employees, and contractors within the IRS working identity theft cases.

Effective Date

(10-01-2024)

LuCinda Comegys, Director,
Accounts Management
Taxpayer Services Division

Program Scope and Objectives

  1. Purpose: This manual provides case procedures specific to income related identity theft. In 2022, Taxpayer Services (TS) Accounts Management separated income related identity theft from existing tax related and non-tax related identity theft procedures. The creation of this new IRM has been done in effort to define specific case processing guidelines for income related identity theft.

  2. Audience: The provisions in this manual apply to all divisions, functions units, employees, and contractors within the IRS working identity theft (IDT) cases.

  3. Policy Owner: The owner of the policies contained herein is the Director, Accounts Management.

  4. Program Owner: The Director of Accounts Management is the program owner.

  5. Primary Stakeholders: The primary stakeholders are organizations that Accounts Management collaborates with; Return Integrity & Compliance Services (RICS), Compliance and Submission Processing.

  6. Program Goals:

    • The development of short-term and long-term remedies to protect taxpayer information and make the experience of those who are already victims faster and more efficient.

    • The development of Servicewide policy, procedures, and guidelines for the priority of recognizing, marking and acknowledging individual taxpayer claims involving identity theft.

    • Support of Identity Protection Strategy and Oversight (IPSO) activities within the scope of programs associated with identity protection.

Background

  1. Employees in the Identity Theft Victim Assistance (IDTVA) organization process Income Related Identity Theft (IDT) claims and respond to IDT victims.

Authority

  1. Refer to IRM 1.2.1.13, Servicewide Policies and Authorities, Policy Statements for Customer Account Services Activities, for information.

  2. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), led by the National Taxpayer Advocate, that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights. TAS offers free help to taxpayers when a tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, when they’ve tried and been unable to resolve their issue with the IRS, or when they believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn't working as it should. TAS strives to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and knows and understands their rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. TAS has at least one taxpayer advocate office located in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

  3. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TBOR) lists rights that already existed in the tax code, putting them in simple language and grouping them into 10 fundamental rights. Employees are responsible for being familiar with and acting in accord with taxpayer rights. See IRC 7803(a)(3), Execution of Duties in Accord with Taxpayer Rights. For additional information about the TBOR, see https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-bill-of-rights.

  4. Policy Statement 10-1, Assisting Taxpayers who Report they are Victims of Identity Theft. See IRM 1.2.1.17, Servicewide Policies and Authorities, Policy Statements for Security, Privacy and Assurance Activities.

Responsibilities

  1. The Taxpayer Services Commissioner has overall responsibility for the policy related to this IRM which is published on a yearly basis.

  2. Additional information is found in IRM 1.1.13.7.3, Accounts Management, and IRM 21.1.1, Accounts Management and Compliance Services Overview.

Acronyms

  1. For a comprehensive listing of any IRS acronyms, please refer to the Acronym Database. The following acronyms will be used throughout this IRM:

    Acronym Definition
    AC Action Code
    ACSS Automated Collection System Support
    AM Accounts Management
    AMS Accounts Management System
    ASED Assessment Statute Expiration Date
    ASFR Automated Substitute for Return
    AUR Automated Underreporter
    BS Blocking Series
    CC Command Code
    CCA Complete Case Analysis
    CEAS Correspondence Examination Automation Support
    CII Correspondence Imaging Inventory
    CN Common Number
    CRN Credit Reference Number
    CSCO Compliance Services Collection Operations
    DoD Date of death
    HC Hold Code
    IAT Integrated Automated Tools
    IDRS Integrated Data Retrieval System
    IDT Identity Theft
    IDTVA Identity Theft Victim Assistance
    IDTVA-A Identity Theft Victim Assistance Accounts Management
    IDTVA-I Identity Theft Victim Assistance IPSU
    IPSU Identity Protection Specialized Unit
    IR Information Return
    IRS Internal Revenue Service
    IRSN Internal Revenue Service Number
    ITAR Identity Theft Assistance Request
    ITIN Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
    NKI No Known Impact
    OAR Operations Assistance Request
    OSINV Oscar Inventory
    PC Process Code
    RC Reason Code
    RGS Report Generation Software
    RICS Return Integrity and Compliance Services
    RPM Return Preparer Misconduct
    SFR Substitute for Return
    SNOD Statutory Notice of Deficiency
    SP Submission Processing
    SSA Social Security Administration
    SSN Social Security Number
    TAS Taxpayer Advocate Service
    TC Transaction Code
    TCIS Treasury Check Information System
    TIN Taxpayer Identification Number
    TPP Taxpayer Protection Program
    TS Taxpayer Services
    U/R Underreported

Related Resources and Tools

  1. Refer to IRM 1.4.2.1.8, Related Resources, for information on related resources that impact internal controls. The following resources contain information and job aides that can assist in case processing:

    • Document 6209, IRS Processing Codes and Information

    • Accounts Management Research Portal - Identity Theft

    • SERP

    • IDTVA Hub

  2. The following systemic tools may be utilized to perform research or to process the work performed by IDTVA. This list is not all inclusive:

    • Account Management Services (AMS)

    • Accurint

    • ACSweb

    • Automated Substitute for Return (ASFR) System

    • Automated Underreporter (AUR) System

    • Integrated Automation Technologies (IAT)

    • Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS)

    • Correspondence Examination Automation Support (CEAS)

    • Correspondence Imaging Inventory (CII)

    • Report Generation Software (RGS)

    • Treasury Check Information System (TCIS)

  3. In addition to the IRM 25.23, the following IRMs may be utilized for processing work. This list is not all inclusive:

    • IRM 1.2.1.2.36, Policy Statement 1-236 (Rev 1), Fairness and Integrity in Enforcement Selection

    • IRM 2.3, IDRS Terminal Responses

    • IRM 2.4, IDRS Terminal Input

    • IRM 3, Submission Processing

    • IRM 4, Examination Process

    • IRM 5, Collecting Process

    • IRM 20.1, Penalty Handbook

    • IRM 21, Customer Account Services

    • IRM 25, Special Topics

    • IRM 25.23.1, Identity Protection and Victim Assistance - Policy Guidance

    • IRM 25.23.2, Identity Protection and Victim Assistance - General Case Processing

    • IRM 25.23.3, IMF Non-Tax-Related IDT and Specialized Programs

    • IRM 25.23.4, IDTVA Paper Process

    • IRM 25.23.9, Business Master File (BMF) Identity Theft Processing

    • IRM 25.23.10, Compliance Identity Theft Case Processing

    • IRM 25.23.11, Business Master File (BMF) Identity Theft Procedures for Accounts Management

    • IRM 25.23.12, IMF Identity Theft Toll-Free Guidance

    • IRM 25.24.1, Return Preparer Misconduct Victim Assistance - General Overview

    • IRM 25.24.2, Return Preparer Misconduct Victim Assistance Specialized Accounts Management Processing

Income Related Identity Theft - General

  1. Income related identity theft (IDT) occurs when a taxpayer’s TIN is used by someone else for income reporting purposes.

  2. Income related IDT is the intentional misuse of a taxpayer’s TIN to obtain employment. However, it can also include use of someone else’s TIN to claim gambling winnings, receive unemployment benefits, or report any other type of income the TIN owner is unaware of (i.e., sale of assets, cancellation of debt, etc.).

  3. Income related IDT is considered non-tax-related because it does not impact the taxpayer’s tax account. However, income related IDT will be treated as tax related when tax administration is impacted. There must be an assessment or refund issue on the taxpayer’s account to be considered tax-related. Income related IDT has the potential to negatively impact the taxpayer if left unresolved. Review the list below for examples of common tax administration issues due to income related IDT.

    • Automated Underreporter (AUR) - Identified by a TC 922 with or without a TC 290 with an increase to tax and/or a decrease to credits.

    • Automated Substitute for Return (ASFR) - TC 971 AC 143, TC 150 for .00 SFR followed by a TC 290 assessment (posted or pending), and/or TC 494/495.

    • Exam Substitute for Return (SFR) - Identified by a TC 150 for .00 SFR and/or TC 420/421.

    • Delinquent Return Refund Hold - The refund hold module will be identified by the presence of a TC 971 AC 130, TC 570 with Julian date 999, RF displayed on IDRS on the module of the refund year, and a -R Freeze. The delinquent return module will have a TC 140 or TC 474.

  4. IDTVA-A employees that are not trained to work specialty cases will refer the case to the appropriate IDTVA Specialty Function, see the chart below to determine if you will work or refer the case:

    If Then
    1) ACS Refer the case to specialty by following IRM 25.23.4-5(11), IDTVA Routing Matrix.
    2) There is an AUR TC 922 with process code 03, 10 - 18, 21 - 29, 44 - 48, 51, 52, 65, 70 - 74, 76, 80, or 91 - 93. Work the case
    3) There is an AUR TC 922 with process code 06, 09, 20, 30, 34, 37, 39, 54, 55, 57 - 60, 67, 69, 75, 77, 81, 87 - 90, 94, 95, 97, or 98. Refer the case to specialty by following IRM 25.23.4-5(11), IDTVA Routing Matrix.
    4) ASFR Refer the case to specialty by following IRM 25.23.4-5(11), IDTVA Routing Matrix.
    5) Exam Refer the case to specialty by following IRM 25.23.4-5(11), IDTVA Routing Matrix.
    6) Delinquent Return Refund Hold Refer the case to specialty by following IRM 25.23.4-5(11), IDTVA Routing Matrix.

Income Related Identity Theft - Determinations

  1. It is necessary to research and consider all information available when reviewing accounts potentially impacted by income related IDT. Incomplete research can result in the taxpayer continuing to be negatively impacted by IDT or the incorrect removal of income.

  2. Prior to making a determination, consider the following while you conduct research:

    • For the year in question, was the occupation consistent with the taxpayer’s age (e.g., a minor child working as a truck driver)?

    • Do all income documents available on CC IRPTR have the taxpayer’s correct name (e.g., spelling, last name, or entirely different name)?

    • Do any income documents available on CC IRPTR reflect an address for the taxpayer that does not match the valid taxpayer’s current address or address history (e.g., different street address in the same city or different cities/states)?

    • Is the income reported on CC IRPTR consistent with the taxpayer’s employment history (e.g., same employer, history of only retirement income, etc.)?

    • Is the location of the employer consistent with the taxpayer’s employment history?

    • Is the IRPTR income document flagged as an INVALID or TIN Perfected?

  3. Refer to the table below for common scenarios to help you determine if the income related IDT issue will be resolved as tax related IDT or non-tax-related IDT.

    Tax Related Scenarios Non-Tax-Related Scenarios
    • AUR assessment that includes income not earned by the taxpayer (TC 922 with a TC 290 assessment)

    • ASFR assessment that includes income not earned by the taxpayer (TC 150 SFR with a TC 290 assessment)

    • Exam SFR assessment that includes income not earned by the taxpayer (TC 150 SFR with a TC 300 assessment)

    • Exam assessment and/or reduction of credits based on income not earned by the taxpayer (TC 420/424 with a TC 300 assessment)

    • Refund Hold due to an unfiled return related to a filing requirement based on income not earned by the taxpayer (See IRM 25.12.1.2(5), How to Identify Delinquent Return Refund Hold)

    • CP 2000 issued but no AUR assessment (TC 922, but no TC 290 assessment)

    • ASFR notice but no assessment (TC 971 AC 143, but no TC 150 SFR/TC 290 assessment)

    • Exam SFR notice(s) but no assessment (TC 150 SFR but not TC 300 assessment)

    • Income earned by someone other than the taxpayer identified through CCA (with or without Compliance involvement)

    Note:

    This table may not include all scenarios.

  4. All income related IDT cases will be controlled on IDRS to the affected tax period. Ensure all CII case data is correct, including updating the category code, MFT, and tax year on the CII case. See IRM 25.23.4.3.1, CII and IDRS Case Controls, for additional guidance.

  5. When a Form 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit, police report, or correspondence is received, complete all required research, and use the table below to determine if the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT.

    Note:

    When the claim is for the current year, income information may not be available on CC IRPTR before June 1. If working a current year case before June 1, accept the taxpayer’s claim when the income information cannot be confirmed.

    Note:

    Except for wages, not all income is required to be reported to the IRS; therefore, some income documents may not be available on CC IRPTR. Accept the taxpayer’s claim when the income information cannot be confirmed other then wages (e.g. NEC, MERC, etc.).

    If And Then
    1) The taxpayer specifies what income they did/did not earn,
    or provides a general statement (i.e., I only worked in Texas.)
    or there is no explanation of the identity theft issue,
    Research supports the taxpayer’s claim The taxpayer is a victim of Income Related IDT.
    Follow closing procedures in IRM 25.23.13.3, Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts.
    2) The taxpayer specifies what income they did/did not earn,
    or provides a general statement (i.e., I only worked in Texas.),
    or there is no explanation of the identity theft issue,
    Research does not support the taxpayer’s claim See IRM 25.23.4.10.15, No Identity Theft (NOIDT) Determinations.

    Note:

    For Specialty cases, refer to the appropriate functional guidelines in IRM 25.23.10, Compliance Identity Theft Case Processing, for additional instructions.

    3) The taxpayer specifies what income they did/did not earn,
    or provides a general statement (i.e., I only worked in Texas.),
    or there is no explanation of the identity theft issue,
    Research does not support the taxpayer’s claim and
    you do not have enough information to complete the required research to make a determination,
    See IRM 25.23.4.18.2, Requests for Additional Information (Telephone and/or Written).
    (4) Income in question is identified as INVALID

    Caution:

    In this situation INVALID refers to a TIN DESCRIPTION as seen in IRM 2.3.35-19. Payee online Transcript Document Display Screen: W-2 (DOC CODE 21) and not a determination of IDT.

    There is no other income determined to be IDT This is not considered Income Related IDT because SSA has already deemed this as invalid income.
    Follow closing procedures in IRM 25.23.13.3, Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts.
    5) Income in question is identified as TIN perfected as seen in IRM 2.3.35-19. Payee online Transcript Document Display Screen: W-2 (DOC CODE 21)

    Note:

    The IRPTR document Payee Entity Data line will state "Valid Perfected SSN".

    There is no other income determined to be IDT This is not considered Income Related IDT because this is caused by an IRS error.
    Follow closing procedures in IRM 25.23.13.3, Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts.

    Note:

    If all the income documents in question are TIN Perfected and INVALID follow the procedures for the INVALID Income.

  6. Employees trained to work IDTVA Specialty cases, refer to the appropriate functional guidelines in IRM 25.23.10, Compliance Identity Theft Case Processing, for additional instructions.

  7. If the income related IDT issue is IRS identified, and there is clear and convincing evidence to support making a determination, take the following actions:

    IF And Then
    (1) You have determined the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT affecting tax administration N/A
    • Document the research you have completed in a CII case note

    • Obtain lead/managerial concurrence with your determination. This must be documented in a CII case note

    • Follow closing procedures in IRM 25.23.13.3, Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts

    (2) You have determined the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT NOT affecting tax administration You have determined the taxpayer is a prisoner
    And
    There are unemployment Form 1099-G documents on IRPTR for any tax year the taxpayer was incarcerated for the entirety of the calendar year.

    Reminder:

    CC FTBOLP can be used to verify incarceration dates with data received and compiled from correctional institutions in the United States. Also seeIRM 25.23.4.6.2(6)(20) IDTVA- Additional Research and Required Actions

    • Document all research you have completed in a CII case note

    • Obtain lead/managerial concurrence with your determination. This must be documented in a CII case note

    • Follow closing procedures in IRM 25.23.13.3 , Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts and IRM 25.23.13.3 (11) for the appropriate closing paragraph.

    (3) Discovered an income related issue and IRPTR shows the document as INVALID There is no other income determined to be IDT Do Not send to ITVA HQ.
    Follow closing procedures in IRM 25.23.13.3, Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts.
    (4) Income in question is identified as TIN perfected

    Note:

    The IRPTR document Payee Entity Data line will state "Valid Perfected SSN".

    There is no other income determined to be IDT This is not considered Income Related IDT because this is caused by an IRS error.
    Follow closing procedures in IRM 25.23.13.3, Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts
    (5) Cases with Duplicate Filing Notice CP 36I, 36N, 36P, 36U, 36V present on CC TXMOD that were converted in error to IDT. N/A Do Not send to ITVA HQ.
    Follow closing procedures in IRM 25.23.13.3, Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts.
    (6) You have determined the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT NOT affecting tax administration and does not meet any scenarios above. N/A
    • Prepare and email Form 4442, Inquiry Referral, using subject line: IDT3 need closing procedures (or similar) to ITVA HQ

    • Document all research completed in a CII case note and/or on the Form 4442

    • Attach Form 4442 to your CII case

    • Suspend case awaiting a response from ITVA HQ. Upon, receipt the account will be research. A response on how to address the account will be received within 7 business days

    Note:

    If there are multiple years with income ID Theft notate all years in Section B of the Form 4442. Do NOT send multiple 4442s

    Note:

    If all the income documents in question are TIN Perfected and INVALID follow the procedures for the INVALID Income.

Income Related Identity Theft (IDT) Involving an EIN/Business
  1. A taxpayer may report an identity theft issue when:

    1. They suspect an EIN/business account (i.e. Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions) has been obtained in their name,

    2. They have an EIN and someone else filed a tax return under the EIN, or

    3. They have an EIN/business account and someone reported a payment made to the EIN which they did not receive.

  2. Consider the taxpayer’s statement, and conduct research. Your research path may include:

    1. IDRS CCs TRDBV, RTVUE, and/or IMFOLR to research the taxpayer’s filing history.

    2. IDRS CC IRPTR to research the taxpayer’s income history.

    3. INOLES for entity and cross reference information.

    4. CII for other open cases and/or cases previously closed.

    5. AMS for history items which may provide additional details about the identity theft issue.

    6. Applicable Specialty systems.

  3. After completing all required research, use the table below to address income related identity theft claims involving an EIN:

    IF And Then
    (1) The taxpayer is claiming to have no affiliation with the business/EIN on Form 14039
    Or
    has submitted a Form 14039-B
     
    • Follow IRM 25.23.2.4.3(8),Tracking Individual Taxpayers Reporting to be Victims of Business-Related Identity Theft.

    • Resolve all IMF IDT issues

    • Leave a CII case note detailing research completed and the referral to BMF.

    (2) The EIN (active or inactive)/business belongs to the taxpayer The taxpayer states:
    • A line a credit was opened without their knowledge,

    • They did not receive some or all of the income reported as MERCH, NEC, Other Income, etc.


    And
    Research supports the taxpayer’s claim,
    Follow IRM 25.23.13.3, Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts
    (3) The EIN/business belongs to the taxpayer Research does not support the taxpayer’s claim
    And
    You do have enough information to complete the required research to make a determination
    Follow IRM 25.23.4.10.15, NO Identity Theft (NOIDT) Determination.
    (4) The EIN/business belongs to the taxpayer Research does not support the taxpayer’s claim,
    And
    You do not have enough information to complete the required research to make a determination,
    Follow IRM 25.23.4.18.2, Request for Additional (Telephone and/or Written).
    5) None of the scenarios above apply with EIN/business involvement  
    • Prepare and email Form 4442 using subject line: Income Related involving an EIN/Business (or similar) to ITVA HQ

    • Document all research completed in CII case note and/or on the Form 4442

    • Attach Form 4442 to your CII case

    • Suspend case awaiting a response from ITVA HQ. Upon, receipt the account will be researched. A response on how to address the account will be received within 7 business days.

Closing Income Related Identity Theft Accounts

  1. Use the following procedures to resolve accounts determined to be impacted by income related IDT only.

  2. If needed, update the taxpayer’s entity information. See IRM 25.23.2.3.7, When to Update the Victim’s Address, for additional guidance.

    Note:

    If the Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit is for a dependent child, determine if an entity needs to be established for the dependent in question. See IRM 3.13.5.117, Establishing a New Account (TC 000), for more information. A Form 14039 signed by a parent on behalf of their dependent child never requires documentary evidence such as court order or legal documentation.

    Note:

    If the TP is deceased, update the entity information as applicable. See IRM 21.6.6.2.21.1, Updating the Entity on Decedent Accounts. For letter requirements related to decedent accounts, see IRM 25.23.4.18.1, General IDTVA Letter Procedures.

  3. Input TC 290 .00 with BS 05, RC 139, and HC 3. If there is a credit that should not be refunded, use HC 4.

    Exception:

    TC 290 .00 with RC 139 is not required on a module when any of the following conditions exist:
    • If there is no TC 150.
    • If no tax module exists.
    • The module is in retention (unless reversing a tax offset will create a balance due or it is necessary to resolve the taxpayer issue to make the taxpayer whole).
    • When an impacted module is not active on IDRS CC TXMOD and is not yet in retention. Do not input IDRS CC MFREQ.

    Note:

    Use of the xClaim tool to input the TC 290 .00 will prevent unnecessary modules from being made active with IDRS CC MFREQ.

  4. Document in a CII case note each source of income determined to be the result of IDT individually. Clearly identify the IDT income with the reported dollar amount when there are multiple income documents for the same company (i.e., two Forms W-2) reporting different amounts. See IRM 25.23.2.3.4, Required Case and History Notes.

    Exception:

    When all income on CC IRPTR is determined not to belong to the valid taxpayer, a CII case note indicating all income is invalid is acceptable.

    Exception:

    When the AMS Fill tool is used to prepare Form 9409, IRS/SSA Wage Worksheet, a case history containing information for all income being removed is automatically populated on AMS. A CII case note indicating Forms 9409 were completed is required; however, documentation detailing each income item removed is not necessary when it has been populated in an AMS history item. Include language "see AMS for the payer information" , or similar verbiage. If Form 9409 is created for a secondary TIN, document AMS under that TIN.

  5. When you have determined the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT affecting tax administration (tax related), use a closing TC 971 AC 501 INCOME upon completion of all account actions when a Form 14039 or police report has been received and any of the following conditions exist on the module in question:

    • Income earned by someone other than the valid taxpayer has resulted in a subsequent AUR or Exam assessment.

    • Income earned by someone other than the valid taxpayer has resulted in an ASFR, Exam SFR, unfiled return, or refund hold issue.


    See IRM 25.23.2.6.1, Closing Taxpayer Initiated Identity Theft Affecting Tax Administration - TC 971 AC 501, for additional information.
    If applicable, issue a Letter 4674C, see IRM 25.23.4.18.1(17), for more information.

    Exception:

    For additional impacted years identified through CCA, follow procedures in paragraph (8) below.

  6. When you have determined the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT not affecting tax administration (non-tax-related), update CII data to category code IDT4.

    Exception:

    Do not update the category code when:

    • It is an IDI case.

    • There is an invalid return.


    Input a closing TC 971 AC 504 upon completion of all account actions when a Form 14039 or police report has been received.

    Note:

    For additional impacted years identified through CCA, follow procedures in paragraph (8) below.


    Use Miscellaneous Field EMPL or EMPL-M. A manual letter is required when EMPL-M is used. See IRM 25.23.2.8.1.1, TC 971 AC 504 with Miscellaneous Field Codes ACCT, ACCT-M, BOTH, BOTH-M, EMPL, EMPL-M, NKI or NKI-M, for additional information.

    See below for a list of situations that require a manual Letter 4674C:
    • If unemployment is an issue, see IRM 25.23.13.3(11).

    • If the taxpayer’s correspondence contains questions that will not be addressed by the CP 01C.

    • If we determine only some of the income is related to identity theft (i.e., The taxpayer disagrees with all wages. However, the taxpayer has a history of reporting wages from XYZ company and we are making the determination that it is their income, but the other wages are not theirs.)

    • If there is more than one impacted tax year.

    • The account is affected by both tax related and non-tax-related IDT.

  7. When you have determined the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT affecting tax administration (tax related) and the case is IRS identified (a Form 14039 or police report has not been received - IDT3), use a closing TC 971 AC 506 and issue a closing Letter 4674C , Identity Theft Post-Adjustment Victim Notification Letter, upon completion of all account actions.

  8. When you have determined the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT through CCA and a Form 14039 or police report has been received, use the table below to determine how to mark each additional impacted year:

    If Then
    1) The additional impacted year is tax related ID Theft Input a TC 971 AC 501 "ICMCCA"
    2) The additional impacted year is non-tax related ID Theft Input a TC 971 AC 504 "ICMCCA"

    Reminder:

    Create CII cases for additional impacted years identified through complete case analysis (CCA) using the date of identification as the IRS received date, see IRM 25.23.4.3.1, CII and IDRS Case Controls, for more information.

    Example:

    The taxpayer receives a CP 2000 for tax year 2020 from Automated Underreporter for underreported wage income from SYZ Company. The case is an AUR recon case, and the account has already been assessed for the taxes due on the income. The taxpayer submits Form 14039, listing TY 2020 as the impacted year and states they did not work for that company, someone must be using their SSN to work. A determination is made that the taxpayer is a victim of income related IDT, and through CCA, it is discovered that someone is continuing to work for SYZ Company using the CN owner’s SSN for tax years 2021 and 2022, but no AUR notices were issued for either year. Due to an AUR assessment occurring on the 2020 module, this is considered tax related and would be closed with a TC 971 AC 501 "INCOME" . Since the 2021 and 2022 modules are impacted by identity theft but it has not yet affected their tax account and identified through CCA, this would be treated as non-tax-related IDT and would be closed with a TC 971 AC 504 "ICMCCA" input on tax years 2021 and 2022.

  9. If all the income is identified on IRPTR as INVALID complete the following actions:

    • If taxpayer identified input a TC 971 AC 504 NKI-M and send a 4402C if there is only 1 year identified or a TC 971 AC 504 NKI-M if there multiple years involved and send a 4674C letter.

    • If IRS identified input a TC 971 AC 506 OTHER for all tax years affected and send 4674C letter.

  10. If all the income is identified on IRPTR as TIN Perfected complete the following actions based on the table below.

    IF Then
    The income related issue is taxpayer identified Follow procedures in IRM 25.23.4.10.15(2), No Identity Theft (NOIDT) Determinations
    The income related issue is IRS identified Follow procedures in IRM 25.23.4.10.15(3), No Identity Theft (NOIDT) Determinations
    The case IRS Identified or taxpayer identified anda TC 922 is on the TXMOD Follow procedures in IRM 25.23.10.7.3.2.3(2)

  11. If unemployment compensation benefits are an issue, send Letter 4674C with an open paragraph. Use the following special paragraph (or similar language): "The IRS received third-party information reporting that an unemployment compensation claim may have been filed in your name without your knowledge. If you haven’t done so, report this issue to your employer and the state unemployment agency where the claim was filed." When closing the case with TC 971 AC 504 also include paragraph "u" .

  12. If the income in question is wage income, complete Form 9409, IRS/SSA Wages Worksheet, unless the taxpayer has provided a Social Security Administration determination letter addressing the income. See IRM 25.23.13.3.1, Form 9409 Procedures - IRS/SSA Wage Worksheet, for specific instructions.

  13. Address any modules without returns filed by the CN owner. Refer to IRM 25.23.4.17, Determining Tax Liability/Form 2209 Instructions, for specific procedures.

  14. Determine whether the account will be in a balance due status after adjustment action posts. If TC 470 CC 90 was input, TC 472 must also be input when the valid taxpayer will have a balance owed. Take action to resume collection activity when appropriate. Refer to IRM 25.23.4.12.3, Collection Activity - Resume Collection Actions, for guidance.

  15. When the account has unresolved TDI issues, see IRM 25.23.2.6.5, Closing Identity Theft Cases with Tax Delinquency Inquiries (TDI), for additional information.

  16. If there is a Delinquent Return Refund Hold issue, see IRM 25.23.10.5.2.1, Refund Hold Program, for specific instructions.

Form 9409 Procedures - IRS/SSA Wage Worksheet

  1. When a social security number is used by someone other than the SSN owner for employment purposes, SSA must be notified to correct the earnings record for that SSN.

  2. While reviewing an IDT claim, verify the IRP data. When income is incorrectly reported under an SSN, Form 9409, IRS/SSA Wage Worksheet, must be completed and sent to the SSA.

    Note:

    The Form 9409 must be completed any time you identify, during your research, any wage income on IRP docs that should not be reported under the valid taxpayer’s SSN (The SSN Owner). This should be done for any type of identity theft (non-tax related or tax related).

    Note:

    Complete the Form 9409 based on who was paid the wages (primary or secondary). If the impacted taxpayer is the secondary taxpayer, ensure all history items are recorded under their TIN.

    Example:

    TY 2014 account contains TC 150 and TC 976 returns. The returns contain addresses from different states. An Invalid/Valid determination is made. Each return contains income that is verifiable. The TC 150 return will be moved to an IRSN and Forms 9409 will need to be completed for the Forms W-2 associated with the invalid return.

  3. Complete Form 9409only for wage income containing Social Security Wages. Do not complete Form 9409 when:

    • The SSN has been TIN perfected. (These will be rejected by SSA.)

    • CC IRPTR indicates the income is invalid.

    • The income is reported under an ITIN (that begins with "9" ).

    • The employer indicates that the information has been corrected with SSA (Form W-2C, Statement of Corrected Income and Tax Amounts).

    • The taxpayer has provided an SSA determination letter.

    • IRPTR data is no longer available.

    • A Form 9409 was previously completed for the income in question.

    • Wages are reported beyond one year of the Date of Death (DoD).

      Note:

      Wages reported prior to the DoD must still be addressed even if the ID theft is identified after the taxpayer’s DoD.

      Caution:

      When completing Form 9409, input the amount as a whole dollar figure. If necessary, round the income to the nearest whole dollar amount (i.e., $54,661.82 would be entered as $54,662.00). Make sure the form is complete (with special attention to Section B) indicating why the form is being sent to the SSA. This will prevent the form from being rejected and causing additional delays to our customers.

  4. If you have determined the valid taxpayer earned only a portion of the income on the wage document shown on CC IRPTR, and the amount reported is due to an act of fraud or IDT, complete Form 9409. In Section B, select Box 6, and input the amount the taxpayer reported for the wage amount.

  5. If allowing the wages on the ITIN holders return, prepare Form 9409, IRS/SSA Wage Worksheet, (for the SSN) to remove the information from the true SSN owner’s account.

  6. Prepare a Form 3210, Document Transmittal, and include the following information:

    • Sender’s full name, SEID, Stop Number, Mailing Address, Fax/EE-Fax Number and Phone Number.

    • Individually list each taxpayer’s last four digits of their SSN, their name control, and the CII case ID.

    • Include a count of how many Forms 9409 are being sent for each SSN listed.

    • Tax period(s) of the Forms 9409.

    • In the remarks area include the total number of Forms 9409 that are being sent.


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    Note:

    Retain a copy of the entire package being sent until the SSA has acknowledged receipt of the package by returning a copy of the Form 3210.

    Caution:

    Do not suspend the case waiting for a reply from SSA.

    Note:

    Document CII and/or AMS to show that Form 9409 was mailed to SSA and which income documents were removed.

    Exception:

    When the AMS Fill tool is used to prepare Form 9409, a case history containing information for all income being removed is automatically populated on AMS. A CII case note indicating Forms 9409 were completed is required; however, documentation detailing each income item removed is not necessary when it has been populated in an AMS history item. Include language "see AMS for the payer information" , or similar verbiage. If Form 9409 is created for a secondary TIN, document AMS under that TIN.

    Note:

    Upon receipt of the Form 3210 from the SSA, document AMS with "3210- SSA Received XX/XX/XXXX." Retain the Form 3210 for one year as required in Document 12990, IRS Records Control Schedule (RCS) 29, Item 91.

  7. If after 60 days the Social Security Administration has not acknowledged receipt of the Forms 9409 by returning a copy of the Form 3210, resubmit them. Document AMS with the re-submission of the Forms 9409.

  8. If the Forms 9409 and Form 3210 were resubmitted and the Social Security Administration has not acknowledged receipt, document the Form 3210 with" No Response from SSA" (or similar). Do not submit the same documents more than two times.

  9. If a Form 9409 was prepared and submitted to the SSA in error, take the following actions:

    • Fill in the taxpayer’s identifying information (SSN, Name, Address, etc.).

    • Complete Section A, with the same amounts used on the erroneously prepared Form 9409.

    • Check the corrected box in the upper right-hand portion of the form.

      Note:

      Do not check any of the boxes in section B.

    • Complete the bottom portion of the form and submit the form as outlined in paragraphs (6) and (7).

    • Document CII and/or AMS to show that a corrected Form 9409 was mailed to SSA and which income documents were revised.