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home › Featured Articles › Tax Season › Taxpayers Beware

Taxpayers Beware: Protect personal information when filing taxes

Tax season is the one time of year when nearly every American divulges personal information about his or her financial life to outsiders. The following are some red flags to be aware of this tax season.

Beware of “Phishy” Emails

The IRS does not send unsolicited emails to taxpayers, but that doesn’t stop people from impersonating the IRS via email to steal your identity in a practice dubbed “phishing.”

How does phishing work? You receive an email with the bait such as a fake refund. The email directs you to open an attachment or click a link to a form to claim your refund. But first, you have to divulge personal financial information such as credit card numbers, personal identification numbers, or your Social Security number.

If you get a suspicious email:

Compare it to sample real-life phishing scams, and forward the email to phishing@irs.gov.
Don’t open attachments and avoid clicking on links, as they may contain harmful code that infects your computer, potentially exposing your
personal information.
Never volunteer your personal financial information in response to, or to the sender of, an unsolicited email.
Check your refund status with this online tool from the IRS.

Say “No” to Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs)

Even if you need money, avoid a loan backed by your expected tax refund.

What is a RAL? A tax preparer might offer a loan that is backed by your projected refund. RALs last one to two weeks, or until your refund check arrives and you can repay the loan. The interest rate, plus the filing fee and a same-day processing fee, can cost hundreds of dollars. And, you may be saddled with debt if your refund doesn’t pan out.

Instead, file your returns electronically and request that your refund be deposited directly in your bank account. You should receive your refund in 10–21 days. If you don’t have a bank account for an electronic deposit, ask a nearby bank or credit union about establishing a low-cost savings account.

Find Trusted Assistance

If you think you need help preparing your taxes this year, consider the following free resources:

Low-to-moderate-income earners qualify for free tax-preparation services through the IRS called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. To find a VITA location in your area, click here or call 1-800-906-9887.
The AARP also offers a volunteer-based program, especially to those 60 years old and above, called Tax-Aide. To find a location in your area, conduct an online search here.

If you don’t qualify for free and secure tax preparation assistance, do your homework when choosing a tax preparer:

Look at his or her history and credentials. Avoid someone who says he or she can net larger refunds than other preparers or an individual who bases his or her fee on a percentage of the refund.
Remember that you are legally responsible for the return that is being filed. Although the preparer bears most of the tax work, if the IRS confirms fraudulent items in your return, you may be liable for additional taxes, interest, and possible penalties.

For more tips on selecting a tax preparer, visit IRS.gov.