What To Know About Tax Identity Theft

Learn what tax identity theft is, how to protect yourself from it, and what to do if it happens to you.

What Is Tax Identity Theft?

Tax identity theft is when someone uses your Social Security number and personal information to steal your tax refund or to get employment. People often discover tax identity theft when they file their annual tax returns.

How To Protect Yourself From Tax Identity Theft

Here’s what to do to protect your personal information and stay ahead of identity thieves.

Protect documents that have personal information

Keep your tax records and Social Security card in a safe place. When you decide to get rid of your tax records, shred them. If you don’t have a shredder, look for a local shred day.

Protect your information from scammers online and on your phone

If you use tax preparation software like TurboTax, TaxAct, or TaxSlayer, secure your account using two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication offers extra security by requiring two or more credentials to log in to your account (like a passcode you get via text message or an authentication app, or a scan of your fingerprint, your retina, or your face). Two-factor authentication makes it harder for scammers to log in to your accounts if they do get your username and password.

Don’t give your personal information to someone who calls, emails, or texts and says they’re with the IRS. It could be a scammer impersonating the IRS to steal your information or money. If you need to contact the IRS, call them at 1-800-829-1040.

What To Do if Someone Steals Your Tax Refund

If someone uses your Social Security number to file for a tax refund before you do, you’ll usually find out when you file your return with the IRS.

If you file by mail, the IRS will mail you a letter explaining that they received more than one return in your name. Follow the instructions in the letter.

If you try to submit your tax return online or through a tax preparer, the IRS will reject your tax return as a duplicate filing. If this happens, go to IdentityTheft.gov and report it using as many details as possible. To report in Spanish, visit RobodeIdentidad.gov.

When you submit a report at IdentityTheft.gov, it will create your

• FTC Identity Theft Report
• IRS Identity Theft Affidavit
• Personal recovery plan

To report identity theft in another language, call 877-438-4338. Then, press 3 to choose your language and connect with an interpreter who will help take your report. Phone lines are open between 9am and 5pm Eastern time.

If you choose, IdentityTheft.gov (or RobodeIdentidad.gov) will submit the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit to the IRS online so that the IRS can begin investigating your case. You can also get the Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039) from irs.gov and submit it by mail.

What To Do if Someone Uses Your Social Security Number for Work

If someone uses your Social Security number for work, the employer may report that person’s income to the IRS using your Social Security number. When you file your tax return, you wouldn’t have included those earnings because they weren’t yours. But the IRS doesn’t know that. Their records will show you failed to report all of your income.

The IRS will mail you a letter explaining you had earnings that you didn’t report. If you get a letter like this from the IRS, follow the instructions in the letter.

If you haven’t gotten a letter from the IRS but you think someone is using your Social Security number for work, review your Social Security work history by creating an account at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. If you find errors, contact your local Social Security Administration office.

If you want to prevent someone from using your Social Security number to get a job, consider setting up an E-Verify account so you can lock your Social Security number at e-verify.gov/mye-verify. E-Verify is an online system that lets employers verify you're eligible to work in the United States, while also letting you lock your Social Security number so others can't use it to get a job. When someone tries to use a locked Social Security number to get a job, employers that use E-Verify must get more information from the person trying to use your Social Security number.

Other Steps To Take

Whether someone used your Social Security number to steal your tax refund or for work, go to IdentityTheft.gov/Steps to learn what other steps to take to limit the damage that identity theft can cause.