Help prevent tax identity theft by filing early
This article organizes the original guidance on help prevent tax identity theft by filing early into clear sections for easier reading and reference.
Overview
This opening section presents the main context from the original post.
If you’re like many Americans, you might not start thinking about filing your tax return until close to this year’s April 18 deadline. You might even want to file for an extension so you don’t have to send your return to the IRS until October 16.
But there’s another date you should keep in mind: January 23. That’s the date the IRS will begin accepting 2016 returns, and filing as close to that date as possible could protect you from tax identity theft.
Why early filing helps
This section keeps the original guidance focused on why early filing helps.
In an increasingly common scam, thieves use victims’ personal information to file fraudulent tax returns electronically and claim bogus refunds. This is usually done early in the tax filing season. When the real taxpayers file, they are notified that they are attempting to file duplicate returns.
A victim typically discovers the fraud after he or she files a tax return and is informed by the IRS that the return has been rejected because one with the same Social Security number has already been filed for the same tax year. The IRS then must determine who the legitimate taxpayer is.
Tax identity theft can cause major headaches to straighten out and significantly delay legitimate refunds. But if you file first, it will be the tax return filed by a potential thief that will be rejected—not yours.
Another important date
This section keeps the original guidance focused on another important date.
Of course, in order to file your tax return, you will need to have your W-2s and 1099s. So another key date to be aware of is January 31—the deadline for employers to issue 2016 W-2s to employees and, generally, for businesses to issue 1099s to recipients of any 2016 interest, dividend, or reportable miscellaneous income payments.
Delays for some refunds
This section keeps the original guidance focused on delays for some refunds.
The IRS reminded taxpayers claiming the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit to expect a longer wait for their refunds. A law passed in 2015 requires the IRS to hold refunds on tax returns claiming these credits until at least February 15.
An additional benefit
This section keeps the original guidance focused on an additional benefit.
Let us know if you have questions about tax identity theft or would like help filing your 2016 return early. If you will be getting a refund, an added bonus of filing early is that you’ll be able to enjoy your refund sooner.
Related Resources
These resources connect the article topic with related Bowers service pages and approved professional reading.
FAQ
The questions below summarize the main points already covered in the article.
What is the main focus of Help prevent tax identity theft by filing early?
The article focuses on help prevent tax identity theft by filing early and organizes the original guidance into sections for easier review.
What topics does the article cover first?
The article begins with why early filing helps and then continues through the remaining points in the original post.
Which additional areas are included?
Additional sections include another important date, delays for some refunds, an additional benefit.
Does the post include action items or reminders?
Yes. The original post includes listed items that have been kept in list format for easier scanning.
Was the original post wording changed?
The revision keeps the author wording and updates the structure so the post is easier to read online.