DAY 5 – How are the IRS and state revenue officials protecting taxpayer data today?

• Password protocols have been enhanced for individual and tax professional software.
• The IRS is requesting additional information from tax professionals who contact them to discuss client information. The additional information may include SSN, date of birth or home address.  According to the IRS, this personal information is necessary to verify the identities of the tax professional they are releasing taxpayer information to.
• IRS has strengthened protections for IRS e-Services.
• States and financial institutions have implemented their own program to help identity false refunds.
• The IRS is enforcing a Form W-2 verification code that will help verify income information and employer for 2018 tax filing season.
• The IRS has a public awareness campaign “Taxes. Security. Together.” to help taxpayers and tax professionals stay alert to cybercriminals and identity thieves. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4524.pdf

As cybercriminals and identity thieves’ progress, we need to stay on guard!

To keep yourself up to date with the latest scams and tips to protect your personal information visit www.irs.gov.  You will find plenty of information regarding the latest scams targeting taxpayers, telephone scams, email scams, etc.

Sources

https://www.irs.gov/ “Security Summit Partners Mark Progress in Identity Theft Battle; Prepare for 2018 Tax Season”

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/ “IRS asking for taxpayer representatives’ personal information”