Can I file a fake return and amend it later, so a to beat the refund crooks?

[hank65]

Given the Equifax data breech, I want to preempt crooks from getting my refund.

[mesquitebean]

If a crook files a fake tax return in your name, it doesn't actually take "your" refund.   It does tie up your legitimate refund, however.   You can still get your refund, but it can take some months and considerable effort to clear it up.  And it prevents you from efiling.

Hopefully, a crook would not know your 2016 AGI to sign the return for efiling, but he/she or other gender could still try to do it by mail.

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

No.

1 - You sign a return under penalty of perjury that it is complete and accurate return to the best of your knowledge.   Filing a known incomplete return is illegal.

2- You cannot file any return until the IRS opens for the 2017 filing season sometime in late January.

3 - What makes you think that someone will steal your refund?   If you think that your identity has been compromised then you should get An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS.  https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin

[SweetieJean]

The tax form signature section says this:
"Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and accurately list all amounts and sources of income I received during the tax year."

[SweetieJean]

You "could," as could millions of other folks, but you would be attesting to an incorrect return. The IRS won't even open for efile until mid or late January.  And amended returns must be filed by mail, and take about 4 months to process.  If everyone did what you are suggesting, the IRS would be overwhelmed keying in and processing amended returns.

Why not change your W-4 withholding to reduce the amount of refund at tax time?