The IRS website includes an application called ‘Get Transcript’ which enables taxpayers to obtain tax documents filed with the IRS by third parties. In May of 2015, the IRS announced that unknown third parties using information obtained outside of the tax agency used this application to obtain the personal information of 114,000 tax payers. The IRS expanded its investigation and in August of 2015 announced that they believe an additional 220,000 taxpayer may have been affected.
To address this issue, the IRS has shut down this application, mailed letters of notification to the affected taxpayers and is offering to cover the cost of credit monitoring.
But what do you do if you file your federal tax return only to have it rejected by the IRS because they had previously received a tax return containing your social security number?
If you have been a victim of identity theft and it is affecting your ability to file your Federal income tax return, you will have to prepare some additional information in order to file your Federal income tax return.
First, you will have to complete an Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039, on which you will provide an explanation of the identity theft and how you became aware of it.
Second, you will need to prepare a legible copy of one of the following; passport, drivers license, social security card, or other valid U.S. Federal or State government issued identification.
These documents must be mailed to the IRS along with a paper copy of your Federal income tax return.
If you have been a victim of identity theft and need assistance filing your Federal income tax return, we can help.
Written by Tom Charbonnier.