Identity Protection: Prevention, Detection and Victim Assistance
Identity theft places a burden on its victims and presents a challenge to businesses, organizations and government agencies, including the IRS. Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.
The IRS combats tax-related identity theft with an aggressive strategy of prevention, detection and victim assistance. We’re making progress against this crime, but it remains one of our highest priorities. If you become a victim, we’re committed to helping you resolve your case as quickly as possible.
As part of the Security Summit Initiative, the IRS, the states and the private-sector tax industry worked together to identify new safeguards that will better protect taxpayers and fight identity theft. But we need your help. Learn what you can do to help make your personal, financial and tax data safer at: Taxes. Security. Together.
Are you a victim of tax-related identity theft?
- Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft
- Publication 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers (PDF)
- Data Breach: Tax-Related Information
- Requesting Copy of Fraudulent Return
- Publication 4524, Security Awareness For Taxpayers (PDF)
- Identity Theft Victim Assistance: How It Works
Identity theft information for tax preparers and businesses
- Data Theft Information for Tax Professionals
- Identity Theft Information for Tax Preparers
- Publication 5199,Tax Preparer Guide to Identity Theft (PDF)
- Information for businesses about data breaches and identity theft
- Tax Practitioner Guide to Business Identity Theft
What the IRS is doing to combat identity theft
- What we’re doing to combat identity theft
- How new security changes may affect you for 2016
- Special identity theft enforcement efforts
- Law Enforcement Assistance Program
Additional Identity Theft Resources
- News and Outreach: Security Summit Initiative and Identity Theft
- Federal Trade Commission
- Social Security Administration
Remember:
The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS does not call taxpayers with threats of lawsuits or arrests.
