@nsuda12345678- - apply for a PIN with the IRS.
A PIN protects your identify and that of your children. Only the person who knows the PIN (presmably only you) can e-file a tax return with your SS number or that of your childrens. Any one else who tries, the return will be rejected upon attempting to efile.
if someone tries to paper file with your SSN or your children's SSN, it will go through enourmous scrutiny from the IRS because they will know that those SSNs were protected by a PIN and the PIN was not submitted with the tax return (again, presumably because you are the only one who knows it) . ]]
if you efile or paper file, you will submit the PIN along with the return, and the return will process through normally.
https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin
the window to apply for PINs opens up next Monday, well before the window to file tax returns opens. Suggest marking your calendar for next Monday to submit the request.
