What to Do if Someone Files a Fraudulent Tax Return in your Name

Imagine electronically filing your tax return and you receive a message from IRS stating that there has already been a tax return filed under your social security number. If that happens, what do you do now? More than 237,500 taxpayers filed affidavits with the IRS in the first nine months of 2016 reporting that they had been victims of identity theft. This excellent article in US News & World Report details steps you should take including filling out an affidavit with the IRS on Form 14039. Remember, thieves that steal your identity may try to commit other financial crimes in your name. The earlier you file, the less time someone has to file a fraudulent return using your identity.