IRS Releases “Identity Theft Central” to Help Educate and Protect Taxpayers

• The resources explain how can someone report identity theft, how taxpayers can protect themselves against online scams, phishing.
• Tax-related identity theft is when an unknown steals personal information to commit tax fraud.

The U.S. federal agency IRS is going all-in to spread awareness on identity theft and data protection in the country. It has established “Identity Theft Central” on IRS.gov and touted a streamlined resource on the website.

What’s all on the portal?

IRS, state tax agencies, the nation's tax industry, and other partners worked in tandem on this project, under the Security Summit banner.

• Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft, including what to do if someone becomes a victim of identity theft.
• Identity Theft Information for Tax Professionals, including knowing responsibilities under the law.
• Identity Theft Information for Businesses, including how to recognize the signs of identity theft.

The resources also explain how can someone report identity theft, how taxpayers can protect themselves against online scams, phishing.

Why was it needed?

The Security Summit partners have been making commendable progress against tax-related identity theft. However, criminals were still exploring ways to steal the identities of individuals, tax professionals, and businesses only to file fraudulent tax returns for refunds.

Tax-related identity theft is when an unknown steals personal information to commit tax fraud.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has made a formal request to taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses to review IRS’s new release and its tips on Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft for a brief understanding of the identity theft and data protection landscape.