SEARCH


PK Tax Services, L.L.C.
PK Tax Services, L.L.C.
  • Home
  • Services
    • 2022 Tax Season Documents for 2021
    • Year-End Tax Planning
    • FAQs on Mixed Marriages
  • Resources
  • Meet the Company
    • Videos
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Client Portal Instructions

BLOG

IRS, States and Tax Industry Deploy New Safeguards for 2016

1/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Because of improved protections in recent years, the Internal Revenue Service stops the vast majority of fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities. But identity thieves and criminal syndicates continue to persist and evolve.
 
As the threat has changed, so has the IRS. In a new era of cooperation, the IRS, the states and the entire tax industry came together to identify what additional steps could be taken to better fight identity theft and better protect the taxpayers.

Starting in January 2016, this renewed effort will make for a safer, more secure filing season for taxpayers.
 
Many changes will be invisible, but they are critical to making sure the IRS can verify the taxpayer and the legitimacy of the tax return before it ever enters into the tax processing system. More than 20 shared data elements will help the software industry and the IRS stop fraudulent returns at the door.
 
For example, the IRS will receive information from software providers about the duration of time it took to create the return. This will help identify the computer-generated tax returns that are fraudulent and filed in bulk.
 
The IRS, states and tax industry will share details of any fraudulent schemes they see on a frequent basis so everyone will have the same information and adjust accordingly to provide increased protection to taxpayers.
 
The most publicly visible aspect of these partnership efforts will be for those taxpayers who prepare their own tax returns using tax software or online products. There will be new procedures that will help prevent fraudsters from taking over the accounts of taxpayers. These include:  
  • New password standards to access tax software will require a minimum of 8 characters with upper case, lower case, alpha, numerical and special characters.
  • A new timed lockout feature and limited unsuccessful log-in attempts.
  • The addition of three security questions.
Out-of-band verification for email addresses, which is sending an email or text to the customer with a PIN – a common practice used throughout the financial sector.
 
The IRS also has teamed up with state revenue departments and the tax industry to make sure you understand the dangers to your personal and financial data. Taxes. Security. Together. Working in partnership with you, we can make a difference.
 
It’s important that everyone take steps to protect their personal and financial data online and at home. Computer users should always use security software that includes firewall and anti-virus protections. Sensitive information such as tax records should be encrypted if stored on your computer or secured by lock and key if on paper.
 
To learn additional steps you can take to protect your personal and financial data, visit Taxes. Security. Together. You also can read Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers.
 
Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Pat Kolodziej
    ​C.P.A., M.S.T.


    Categories

    All
    IRS Tax News
    Just For Fun
    Tax Tips For Businesses
    Tax Tips For Individuals


    Archives

    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

Pat Kolodziej, CPA, MST
Managing Member
PK Tax Services, L.L.C.

87 South McLean Boulevard, Suite A
South Elgin, IL 60177


Phone: (224) 227-6061
Fax: (224) 227-6059
Contact Us
Client Login
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
BACK TO TOP

Proudly Serving: South Elgin Illinois, St. Charles Illinois, Elgin Illinois, Geneva Illinois, Batavia Illinois, Bartlett Illinois, West Chicago Illinois, Algonquin Illinois, Crystal Lake Illinois, Aurora Illinois, etc.

© 2017-2022 PK Tax Services, LLC  |  All Rights Reserved  |  Website Created by LislDesign.com

PK Tax Services, L.L.C.