As the deadline for filing entity returns closes and the deadline for individual income tax returns approaches, there are issues outside the four corners of the return that taxpayers should keep in mind:
- Stay current with your tax obligations. To avoid default or rejection of an installment agreement or offer in compromise under review or in payment status, be sure to file your return or request an extension by the deadline. In addition, even if the return is on extension, there is no extension for payment and a failure to make payment by April 15th (for individual income taxes) may result in a default or rejection.
- Be cautious with your personal information. The IRS has identified identity theft, phone scams, and phishing among its “dirty dozen” scams for 2016. Criminals seek to obtain your personal information, including name, address, social security number, and credit card and banking information, in an effort to steal both directly from your accounts and to file fraudulent returns under your name and claim the refund for themselves. The IRS will never call to demand payment or about taxes owed without mailing a bill first and generally does not contact taxpayers to request personal or financial information by email. If you receive an unsolicited call or email purportedly from the IRS, do not provide any of your personal information. If you are not certain whether the information is legitimate, contact the IRS.
For help and other resources within the IRS, see https://www.irs.gov/Help-&-Resources.
For more on the IRS’ 2016 “dirty dozen” list, see https://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Wraps-Up-the-Dirty-Dozen-List-of-Tax-Scams-for-2016.