If someone uses your information to file a fraudulent tax return, he or she is
looking to get your tax refund. You'll want to work with the IRS as
soon as you discover the identity theft to ensure that your actual
return is processed as quickly as possible.
NotificationIn many cases, when someone files a tax return using your Social Security
number, you won’t find out until after the second return is filed. The
second return could be from you or the person who has stolen your
information.
When the
IRS receives two different returns with the same Social Security
number, the second return filed will be rejected if you e-filed or if
you paper-filed you’ll get a written notice that explains that a return
has already been filed if you paper filed your return. Even if you don’t
get a letter from the IRS but suspect a fraudulent return has been
filed with your information, you can still take action.
IRS Form 14039
When
you discover another a tax return has been filed with your Social
Security number, you’ll use IRS Form 14039 to alert the IRS. When you
complete this form, you’ll indicate that someone has stolen your
identity and it has affected your tax account since they have filed a
return using your identifying information. You’ll also provide
information about the tax year affected and the last return you filed
prior to the identity theft.
Sending Form 14039
After
you complete Form 14039, mail it to the IRS with a copy of your Social
Security card and driver’s license. If you don’t have a driver’s
license, you can substitute a U.S. Passport, military ID or other
government-issued identification card.
If you received an IRS notice concerning the fraudulent return,
include a copy of the notice. Mail the form and documents to the address
shown in your notice.
If you did not receive an IRS notice, mail your documents to:
- Internal Revenue Service
- P.O. Box 9039
- Andover, MA 01810-0939
Request for Identity Verification from the IRS
When the IRS stops a suspicious tax return filing, they may send a letter called "Letter 5071C" asking
that you verify your identity. It will include a couple ways to verify
it: via a phone number or through the IRS's Identity Verfication
Service, https://idverify.irs.gov.
This online service is the quickest method and will ask you
multiple-choice questions to verify whether or not the tax return
flagged for further identity verification was filed by you or someone
else. The IRS only sends such notices by mail. The IRS will not
request that you verify your identity by contacting you by phone or
through email. If you receive such calls or emails, they are likely a
scam.
If you can't confirm your identity using the IRS' online Identity Verification Service, you can call the IRS at the phone number included in the letter.
When confirming your identity, you will need:
- Your name, date of birth and contact information
- Social security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)
- Your prior year tax return along with supporting documents such as W-2s, 1099s, and Schedules A and C if you filed them
Additional precautions
When
someone has enough of your personal information to file a fraudulent
tax return, she can use your identity to commit other crimes. In
addition to alerting the IRS, you should place a freeze on your credit report file
with all three credit bureaus to prevent unauthorized accounts from
being opened. The Federal Trade Commission also suggests filing an
identity theft report with your local police department, and also with
the FTC online.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/General-Tax-Tips/Identity-Theft--What-to-Do-if-Someon...
