The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry urge employers to boost cybersecurity protections against business identity theft, according to www.irs.gov.
Identity thieves are displaying a sophisticated knowledge of the tax code and industry filing practices as they attempt to obtain data to help file fraudulent returns. To address this and protect taxpayers and their business returns, the IRS has taken steps to identify and prevent business identity theft.
As with fraudulent individual returns, there are signs that may indicate businesses have fallen victim to identity theft. Businesses, partnerships, and estate and trust filers should be alert to potential identity theft and contact the IRS if they experience any of the following issues:
- Extension to file requests are rejected because a tax return with the Employer Identification Number or Social Security number already is on file.
- An e-filed return is rejected because a duplicate EIN or SSN already is on file with the IRS.
- An unexpected receipt of a tax transcript or IRS notice that does not correspond to anything submitted by the filer
- Failure to receive expected and routine correspondence from the IRS because the thief has changed the address
Learn about the steps the IRS has taken to help protect businesses from identity theft.
