IRS, States, Industry Launch Second Year of Public Awareness Campaign: “Taxes. Security. Together.”

The IRS released the following update earlier today:

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners today began the second year of their “Taxes. Security. Together.” campaign aimed at encouraging taxpayers to take stronger measures to protect their financial and tax data.

The campaign features a series of security awareness tax tips, a round-up of suggestions at the Taxes. Security. Together. web page and a one-page Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers.

“These are common sense tips to help taxpayers ensure the security of their information,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “The Security Summit partnership between the IRS, states and industry has made great strides but we need taxpayers to ensure their information is secure as well.”

The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax community came together in 2015 to combat tax-related identity theft as a coordinated partnership. But they immediately saw that one partner was missing: taxpayers.

The IRS and its partners need the help of all taxpayers. The Security Summit also needs the help of tax preparers and businesses to share information and help educate clients and employees about security measures. For example:

• Always use security software with firewall and anti-virus protections. Make sure the security software is always turned on and can automatically update. Encrypt sensitive files such as tax records you store on your computer. Use strong passwords.
• Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails, threatening calls and texts from thieves posing as legitimate organizations such as your bank, credit card company and even the IRS. Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails.
• Protect your personal data. Don’t routinely carry your Social Security card, and make sure your tax records are secure. Treat your personal information like you do your cash; don’t leave it lying around.

Get Replacement Social Security Tax Forms Online

The following article was release by the Social Security Administration:

Preparing for tax season can seem overwhelming. Some forms and paperwork might be difficult to track down. Social Security has made this much easier with annual Benefit Statements.

An SSA-1099 is a tax form Social Security mails each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits received from Social Security in the previous year so people know how much Social Security income to report to IRS on their tax return.

For non-citizens who live outside of the United States and received or repaid Social Security benefits last year, we will send form SSA-1042S instead. The forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S are not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

If your clients currently live in the United States and need a replacement form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, we have a way for them to get an instant replacement quickly and easily. Encourage your clients to go online and request an instant replacement form with a my Social Security account at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.  The online replacement form is available beginning February 1, 2017.

Every working person in the U.S. should create a my Social Security account. The secure and personalized features of my Social Security are invaluable in securing a comfortable retirement — for today and tomorrow. 

Last Day to Transmit 2015 Individual Federal and State Returns this Year

The IRS will be shutting down their 1040 Modernized E-file system on the morning of November 30, 2016. This shutdown will last until the 2017 filing season opens in January 2017.

If you have any 2015 federal or state tax returns that you wish to file as a current year return, you should transmit them by November 29, 2016 in order ensure that you are able to get acknowledgements back before the IRS system is shutdown on November 30, 2016.

Update on Change to Accessing E-Services

As a reminder, the IRS will be instituting changes to how e-services users will access their accounts. Originally the IRS said that all e-services users would need to re-register using the new Secure Access authentication process around October 24, 2016.

The IRS has announced that the IRS is delaying this requirement at this time.  The delay is to allow the IRS to discuss the proposed new Secure Access authentication process with key stakeholders and to ensure a smooth transition when they do implement the new process.

When a new date is set, the IRS will send out an announcement.

See the Important Update about Your e-Services Account page on the IRS website for more information on what the Secure Authentication Process is and for the official IRS announcement on this delay.

IRS Now Accepting ITIN Renewal Applications

This is a reminder that the IRS has begun accepting renewal applications for individuals whose ITINs will expire at the end of 2016.

Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, the following ITIN holders must renew their ITIN before they file their 2016 federal tax return during the upcoming 2017 filing season:

• Have not used their ITIN on a tax return for the last three consecutive years; or
• Have an ITIN with the middle digits of 78 or 79.

The IRS recently sent letters to taxpayers with the affected middle digits informing them that they need to renew their ITINs.

To renew an ITIN, a taxpayer must complete Form W-7 and submit all required documentation to the IRS either by mail, through a Certified Acceptance Agent, or in person by making an appointment at an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. For renewals, a completed federal income tax return does not need to be attached to the Form W-7.

For more details on which taxpayers need to renew their ITIN as well as the process for renewing ITINs see the following on the IRS website:

• IRS news release of October 6 – IRS Now Accepting ITIN Renewal Applications
• IRS Form W-7 instructions