Four Tips For Ensuring You Get Your Tax Return And Protect Your Identity This Tax Season

2 February 2016
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Tax time can be a bit nerve-wracking for many people because they need to take the time to file their taxes and from time to time, pay additional taxes to the IRS. During tax time, identity thieves often come out in full force because they know how easy it is to get personal information from people who are trying to get their taxes filed quickly to get refunds or pay off tax debt they owe. Use the following guide to learn a few ways to keep your identity safe this tax season.

Only Work with Professionals

When you go to file your taxes, you want to be sure that you go to a professional tax filing company. Professional companies often take the time to find reliable, trustworthy individuals to work for them because they know that they can be sued by customers, if a staff member starts stealing identities of their clients.

File Your Taxes Early

File your taxes as soon as you can. If someone has your personal information and files your taxes before you, they will get your refund and you will have to jump through a lot of hoops to prove to the IRS that you are who you say you are. Once a tax filing has been made to the IRS, they will not accept another one without proof that the first filing was fraudulent. That means that by filing your taxes as soon as possible, you will make it impossible for identity thieves to file your taxes and get your tax return.

Have Your Return Direct Deposited

If you get a tax return from the IRS, you can choose to have it sent to you in the mail by check or have it direct deposited into your bank account. It is best to have it directly deposited so that there is no chance of someone intercepting it in the mail when it is on the way to your home.

Do Not Give Out Personal Information Online or Over the Phone

It is important to realize that the IRS will never ask you for personal information over the phone or by email. Do not ever give someone your bank account information or your social security number, unless in person during tax time.  

If you follow these four tips, you will better your chances of being able to protect your identity from identity thieves and get the return you are entitled to from the IRS. None of these steps are difficult to do and will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

For more information, contact a company like Capital Accounting And Tax Service Inc.