After 32 years of IRS work — and more than $100 million in resolved tax debt — I've seen just about every version of the problem you're dealing with. I'm Darrin Mish, a tax attorney in Tampa. Here's what you should know.
It’s distressing enough to be a victim of identity theft, but it’s even more frustrating when the IRS turns down your request for information. You will not even be allowed to view the fraudulent tax return made in your name and Social Security number. And if you think you can get information on the identity thief from the tax software company whose software may have been used to submit the fake return, think again. Turbo Tax, one of the nation’s largest tax software companies do not divulge details of fake returns filed using its software ‘for privacy reasons’. Click here to read or watch more IRS Help resources.
Although there is legislation that protects the rights of taxpayers and allows victims of tax fraud the chance to at least figure out what the thieves have stolen, the situation is not so simple. There are other IRS regulations that dissuade IRS employees from disclosing personal details even though they are those of the identity thief himself.
The IRS say they are careful not to disclose other people’s private information. However, the agency does say that they do cooperate with law enforcement officers in their investigations into any cases of fraud.
In 2013, the IRS said it paid out about $5.8 billion in fraudulent tax refunds. This amount does not include those that the agency has managed to prevent being paid.
Read more about why the IRS won’t tell fraud victims what identity thieves stole.