IRS Taxes. Security. Together. Tax Tip Number 7, December 9, 2016 Building on the successes of last year, the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry are enacting a series of new initiatives for 2017. These initiatives will better protect you from identity theft and refund fraud. However, we need your help. Everyone has a role to play in protecting data. In the tax community, we’ve been working together since 2015 to put in place improved safeguards. These safeguards make it harder for identity thieves to file fraudulent returns successfully. That means identity thieves try to steal even more data to impersonate taxpayers. Many of the changes will be invisible to taxpayers but will be invaluable to helping keep you safer from identity thieves. Our focus is on “trusted customer” features that help us authenticate both the taxpayer and tax return. Here are a few things we’re doing for 2017: Sharing new data elements from tax returns. This helps us validate the return and the taxpayer. These elements include items such as the time it takes to complete the return. This helps us guard against mechanized computer fraud. Sharing new data elements from business tax returns. This extends more identity theft protections to business filers as well as individuals. Creating a new program between states and the financial industry. This allows banks and others to flag suspicious refunds. Expanding the Form W-2 Verification Code initiative. This initiative, started by the IRS last year, expands to 50 million forms in 2017 from 2 million in 2016. When completing a tax return, users enter a 16-digit verification code when prompted by the tax software. Both individuals and tax professionals use this code to validate the information on the Form W-2. The IRS anticipates in future years that the initiative will impact all Forms W-2. Continuing to enhance software password requirements for individuals and tax professional users. This provides additional safety prior to filing You also can take steps to protect yourself from identity thieves by taking a few simple precautions to protect your data and your identity. Never routinely carry your Social Security Administration card or any document that includes your Social Security number. Always use anti-malware security software on all your digital devices, computer, tablet and mobile phone. Avoid phishing scams that will either trick you into disclosing your passwords or SSN by posing as companies or agencies. Neither the IRS nor your tax software provider will ask you to update your accounts by providing you an email with links. Always use strong passwords that are long and complex. For example, use a mixture of letters, numbers and special characters and do not use the same password for multiple accounts. Protecting your data is a job we take very seriously, but we need you to join us. That’s why we launched the Taxes. Security. Together. campaign for taxpayers and the Protect Clients; Protect Yourself campaign for tax professionals. Learn what additional steps you can take. We need your help. Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips
