Taxes and Security: For Individuals

           The IRS is now accepting Tax Returns, so that means, Tax Season has officially begun! It’s a time that everyone knows is coming, and many people wish would end before it starts. Sadly, among the stressful details that go along with this time of year, is the knowledge that identity thieves and criminals are preparing too. They prepare to use stolen information and flood the IRS with fraudulent Tax Returns. However, there has been significant progress to fight these scams.

          The IRS stopped almost 500,000 Tax Returns last year that were confirmed to have been generated by means of identity theft. This is positive news when compared to the previous year. For each step forward, there are many plotting to find a way to get around the progress made. While that may be out of our control, there are certain things that we can do to protect ourselves.

          Tax Professionals are going to be a big target for criminals this year. There have already been reports of scammers who send emails, posing as a Taxpayer, in order to gain Personal Information. Each Taxpayer has the right to ask whoever is preparing their Tax Return how they will safeguard that information. In the wrong hands it will lead to painful consequences. Protect yourself by seeing how your Qualified Tax Professional is protecting you.

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