Identity Theft

What is identity theft?

Identity (ID) theft is “a fraud that is committed or attempted, using a person’s identifying information without authority.” ID theft may involve stealing … more

ALERT: Parents and students should be on the lookout for potential tax scams

With students headed back to school in a few short weeks, parents and students alike should be advised of telephone scammers who target taxpayers during the back-to-school season. Such scammers … more

ALERT: Tax Refund Scam Artists Posing as Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) has been alerted that taxpayers are receiving emails allegedly from TAP about their tax refunds. These emails are a scam; do not click the links in them. TAP never … more

NTA Discusses Identity Theft on NPR

NPR's David Greene sat down with National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson to discuss the IRS's 2014 "Dirty Dozen List." It's not a list of criminals — it's the most common tax scams affecting U.S. … more

IRS taking steps to try to protect against identity theft (AP)

Identity theft can come in the form has been on the hot list of taxpayer issues for several years (and has been identified as a most serious problem in several past Annual Reports to Congress). The … more

IRS Gives Guidance on Verifying Identity In Case of Possible ID Theft

The IRS is sending out a letter (Letter 5071C) to taxpayers whose identities may have been compromised. If you get one of these letters, there are two ways to verify your identity – by calling … more

The IRS’s Procedures for Assisting Victims of Identity Theft Still Impose Excessive Burden and Delay Refunds

IDENTITY THEFT (IDT): The IRS’s Procedures for Assisting Victims of IDT, While Improved, Still Impose Excessive Burden and Delay Refunds for Too Long

Tax-related identity theft (IDT) occurs … more

ID Theft Times Two

Every year, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. All personal details are removed to protect the privacy of the taxpayer.

A young mother walked into the … more

Tax Changes

Tax Reform, Tax Reform Changes, 1040, 1040 changes, W-4 changes, new 1040, new W-4, W4, W-4 more

Success Stories: Helping a Family Deal with a Stolen Identity

Every year, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. All personal details are removed to protect the privacy of the taxpayer.

When a husband and wife … more

Claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for people who work and whose earned income is within a certain range.

You must meet certain eligibility rules to claim and receive the credit. … more

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)

If you have limited income and need help preparing your federal tax return, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program may be able to help you. … more

Help for a Taxpayer Whose Brother Stole His Identity

Every year, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) helps thousands of people with tax problems. All personal details are removed to protect the privacy of the taxpayer.

While a taxpayer was out of … more

Tax Return Preparer Fraud

Even if you hire a tax return preparer who you believe is professional and honest, tax return preparer fraud (also referred to as return preparer fraud and preparer fraud) or misconduct is … more

2017 Nationwide Tax Forum Seminars available for CPE Credit

If you did not attend the 2017 Nationwide Tax Forums this year, it's not too late to earn continuing professional education (CPE) credits. There are 17 interactive, self-study courses now available … more

Amending a Tax Return

If you file your individual tax return and then realize you made a mistake, you can change your tax return. Usually this involves filing IRS Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income … more

Choosing a Tax Return Preparer

If you decide to have a tax return preparer prepare and file your income tax return, it is important to choose the preparer carefully. Finding a qualified professional takes a little planning … more

Incorrect Tax Return

A tax return can be incorrect or incomplete for many different reasons – from simple things like forgetting to sign a form to big issues like misreporting income or incorrectly calculating a … more

NTA Blog: Tax Administration on the Twentieth Anniversary of RRA 98

Subscribe to the NTA’s Blog and receive updates on the latest blog posts from National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson. Additional blogs from the National Taxpayer Advocate can be found at … more

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, more commonly known as FATCA, became law in March 2010, and is designed to make sure U.S. taxpayers with foreign accounts pay the taxes they owe.

FATCA … more

Options for Filing a Tax Return

Each year, most people who work are required to file a federal income tax return. If you must file, you have two options:

Filing an electronic tax return (often called electronic filing or e- … more

Health Care Premium Tax Credit

The premium tax credit (PTC) makes health insurance more affordable by helping eligible individuals and their families pay premiums for coverage purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace ( … more

2016 Nationwide Tax Forum Seminars available for CPE credit

If you did not attend the 2016 Nationwide Tax Forums this year, it's not too late to earn continuing professional education (CPE) credits. There are 13 interactive, self-study courses now available … more

The 2017 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums a success for TAS

Each year, the IRS sponsors the Nationwide Tax Forums, a three-day series of tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals in cities around the country. The 2017 Tax Forums featured … more

The 2016 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums a huge success for TAS

Each year, the IRS sponsors the Nationwide Tax Forums, a three-day series of tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals in cities around the country. The 2016 Forums featured the … more

Tax Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Living Abroad

If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income tax returns and paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you’re in the United States or abroad. No … more

TAS Tax Tip: It’s Always a Good time to Check Your Tax Withholding

Finished with your 2018 tax return? If you are, and even if you are not, now might be a good time to check your tax withholding amount for this year, 2019, by doing a paycheck check-up now so … more

Tax Scams: Don’t be fooled

Don’t be fooled by scammers pretending to be the IRS. Scammers target taxpayers and tax professionals each year in growing numbers. Oftentimes a scammer will contact you by telephone and … more

5 Tips for Choosing a Tax Return Preparer

Your annual physical. Spring cleaning. Flu shots. What do these activities have in common? Just like preparing and filing your taxes, you need to complete them every year. Yet filing your annual tax … more

New tax law brings changes to tax withholding for 2018; here’s what you need to know

Major tax reform was approved by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (tax reform) on Dec. 22, 2017. One change directly affected the rate at which taxes are withheld from paychecks. Our federal … more

2016 Tax Forums: TAS focus groups to discuss IRS Future State and refund timing

Each year the IRS sponsors the Nationwide Tax Forums, a three-day series of tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals in cities around the country.

These events feature the … more

2015 Tax Forums: TAS Seminars and Case Resolution

Each year the IRS sponsors the Nationwide Tax Forums, a three-day series of tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals in cities around the country.

These events feature the … more

New Tax Reform Changes Website Explains What Is Changing and What Is Not

En Español

The 2018 Form 1040, schedules and instructions are now available. Our Tax Reform Changes website shows where the new tax law items can be found on the 2018 … more

NTA Blog: Tax Reform

Tax Reform: Hope Springs Eternal This Fall

Subscribe to the NTA’s Blog and receive updates on the latest blog posts from National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson. Additional blogs from … more

Filing Season Tips for Tax Pros

Many tax professionals know this filing season has several new factors that impact all tax professionals: new tax laws, a new tax form and schedules, and new Due Diligence rules. Here’s some … more

National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson speaks with Yahoo! Finance on new tax issues you may encounter this tax season

National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson recently spoke with Yahoo! Finance on new tax issues taxpayers may face during the filing season this year. During the brief interview, Ms. Olson highlights the … more

2017 Tax Forums will feature TAS seminars and the Case Resolution Program

Each year the IRS sponsors the Nationwide Tax Forums, a three-day series of tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals in cities around the country. These events feature the … more

TAS Tax Tip: Tax Filing Help Information

The tax return filing season is here. Do you need help with filing information and options? Here are some useful tips from the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

Options for Filing a Tax Return

Each year, … more

Tax Professionals Get Assistance Resolving Tough Cases at the Tax Forums

The summer heat outside may be stifling, but inside the Case Resolution Program at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums, dedicated IRS employees are keeping their cool and producing truly excellent results. … more

Your Tax Reform Suggestions Matter: Here’s How

When people think about the U.S. tax system, it’s often with a sense of frustration. Discussions on how to make filing returns and working with the IRS simpler often focus on how complex the … more

TAS Tax Tips for Tax Pros: Earned Income Credit Tools and Information

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) rules are complex and helping clients claim this and other refundable credits is sometimes a challenge. That is especially true while performing the Due Diligence … more

Take Advantage of TAS Offerings at the Tax Forums

The 2016 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums kicked-off this summer in Chicago, Ill., the week of July 11. New Orleans, La. was the host city for the second tax forum during the week of July 25. The third tax … more

The 2018 Nationwide Tax Forums a Success for TAS

Each year, the IRS sponsors the Nationwide Tax Forums, a three-day series of tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals in cities around the country. The 2018 Tax Forums featured … more

TAS Focus Groups at the 2015 Tax Forums - Help us help you (and your clients)

Each year the IRS sponsors the Nationwide Tax Forums, a three-day series of tax education and networking conferences for tax professionals in cities around the country.

These events feature the … more

Incorrect 1095-A Forms and the Premium Tax Credit

If you may have gotten an incorrect Form 1095-A (your Health Insurance Marketplace Statement), the IRS has new resources for you.

The IRS has just posted information to help you determine exactly … more

Do you have everything you need before you file a federal tax return this year?

There are several changes that might require some up-front actions by you, so that you are ready to file your federal tax return this coming year. The IRS has provided a listing titled Get Ready on … more

TAS Tax Tip: New 2018 Form 1040 Changes and Helpful Hints for Completion

It’s filing season! The IRS’s new Form 1040 for 2018, its corresponding Schedules 1-6, and instructions are now available.

Taxpayer Advocate Service’s Tax Reform Changes website … more

TAS Tax Tip: Families - Gear-up now for changes that will affect your 2018 return

It’s the holidays and is anyone really thinking about taxes? We hope you are, because there are certain things you will need to know now, and some you may need to act upon before the end of the … more

Premium Tax Credit: 3 ways to reduce the chance of owing taxes

This past filing season saw some people owing money at tax time that they didn’t expect. Why? Because they didn’t provide an accurate income estimate to the Marketplace when enrolling for … more

Four online ACA estimators help you prepare for tax time

Taxpayers and businesses can use these before filing their federal tax returns.

Tax filing season will be here before you know it. As you plan and prepare your information over the next few months, … more