“Be very careful, be very leery of the software that you use when you’re transmitting it, make sure your firewall is on otherwise you’re broadcasting all of your information across the internet and anybody can get that, there so many phishing scams softwares that will just that just exist exclusively to get your information”, says tax accountant Liz Crane. “Can this be for real?”
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It’s a big change, but the IRS is now taking steps to hire debt collectors who will call taxpayers to collect back taxes.
In 2014, the Federal Trade Commission received almost 55,000 complaints about scammers like these – that’s a 25-fold increase from complaints filed in 2013. With more than 5-thousand victims, there’s a warning for us all.
Tim Camus is with the Treasury Department. The caller or recording will then provide a telephone number to call. Still, even he admits all tax preparation companies face a daunting challenge in dealing with identity theft.
People can use Free File software immediately but e-filed returns will not be transmitted to the IRS until Tuesday, Jan. 19, when the filing season officially begins.
The IRS has reminded taxpayers to take advantage of the resources available on its website, including the “Where’s My Refund?” app. Again this year, the IRS anticipates issuing more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
Taxpayers have the option to prepare their return at any time and schedule a tax payment as late as the tax deadline, which, for 2016, is April 18.
Reporter: Who are these people making these calls?
“I was scared to death”, she said.
To reduce your chances of income tax fraud, the Better Business Bureau recommends filing your taxes electronically as soon as possible, so the money goes straight into your account. Only 38 percent of callers were actually able to reach an IRS representative, according to the report.
“The [Senate Finance] Committee is aware that the amount of unpaid Federal tax debts continues to present a challenge to the IRS”, a report on the bill reads.
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The State Department already has the right to either refuse to issue or renew passports to people who owe more than $2,500 in child support or certain other debts, like travel expenses related to helping a passport applicant return to the US.
