INDIANAPOLIS —
Phishing scams
If the Internal Revenue Service needs to reach you, they initiate most contact through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.
The IRS, however, could call you on the phone.
Jason Bushey, assistant special agent in charge for the IRS Chicago Field Office, said this type of contact might be for scheduling purposes.
"The IRS may call you on the phone to set up an appointment at an IRS office, or at your tax return preparer's office," Bushey said.
He added that scammers impersonating the IRS will often threaten legal action or an arrest.
"What they're going to ask you to do is send them money, or to provide your personal identifying information," Bushey said.
When it comes to scams, there are typically three signs: a demand, a sense of urgency and a consequence.
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Fraudulent tax returns
If someone steals your identity to file a fraudulent tax return, you will need to take a few steps.
"Complete a police report," Bushey said, "If the scam involved your tax return, you can go to www.irs.gov (and) you can complete an ID theft affidavit. You'll need that affidavit when you file your true tax return."
According to the IRS site, fraud signs include the following:
- A taxpayer can't e-file their tax return because of a duplicate tax return filed using their Social Security number. (However, make sure there is no error in the SSN, such as transposed numbers.)
- A taxpayer can't e-file because a dependent's Social Security number or ITIN was already used by someone on another return without the taxpayer's knowledge or permission. (Also check that the SSN or ITIN is correct, and be sure the dependent hasn't filed a separate tax return.)
- A taxpayer receives a tax transcript in the mail they did not request.
- A taxpayer receives a notice from a tax preparation software company confirming an online account was created in their name, and they did not create one.
- A taxpayer receives a notice from their tax preparation software company that their existing online account was accessed or disabled when they took no action.
Contacting the IRS
To track the status of your refund, you can check their site.
The website says wait times are around 4 minutes, and help lines are open Monday through Friday.
- Individuals
800-829-1040
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time - Businesses
800-829-4933
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time - Non-profit taxes
877-829-5500
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time - Estate and gift taxes (Form 706/709)
866-699-4083
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern time - Excise taxes
866-699-4096
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time - Callers who are hearing impaired
TTY/TDD 800-829-4059