[minnesota.cbslocal.com]

"MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The Minnesota Department of Revenue has stopped accepting tax returns from one of the most popular online programs.

They’re worried about potential fraud targeting TurboTax.

“[We] do not take this step lightly,” the department said in a conference call Thursday evening.

The state heard from two Minnesota taxpayers who logged into Intuit’s TurboTax and found that a return had already been filed in their name. When they checked other returns filed using TurboTax, they found what they’re calling “potentially fraudulent activity.”

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

You wouldn't think this would be so hard to cut off. Employers should be submitting W2, 1099, and other wage data electronically to the IRS. The IRS should also already know what it has collected from that individual. It would be trivial at that point to make sure that the tax return fell within range to be legitimate.

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C(-)ris
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Throwback Thursday Signature:




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/05/2015 11:23PM by C(-)ris.

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C(-)ris
You wouldn't think this would be so hard to cut off. Employers should be submitting W2, 1099, and other wage data electronically to the IRS. The IRS should also already know what it has collected from that individual. It would be trivial at that point to make sure that the tax return fell within range to be legitimate.

The IRS does do this kind of checking, but much later in the process, NOT at the time of filing.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2015 01:03AM by Janit.

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Janit

Quote
C(-)ris
You wouldn't think this would be so hard to cut off. Employers should be submitting W2, 1099, and other wage data electronically to the IRS. The IRS should also already know what it has collected from that individual. It would be trivial at that point to make sure that the tax return fell within range to be legitimate.

The IRS does do this kind of checking, but much later in the process, NOT at the time of filing.

Correct, the IRS (and the Minnesota Dept. of Revenue) quickly sends out refunds for returns that have all the correct information or at least close to it. And they do it quickly because the public demands it as do their representatives. File with the money sent to a disposable bank account and you are golden. Maybe.

Some 30+ years ago I filed a return shortly after remarrying. I just grabbed a prior paper return and copied and updated the information as I filled out the return. Except I forgot to update my current spouses social security number from my ex's. The check came in the mail payable to me, my wife and my ex. Ugh. I called the revenuers and demanded what was up with that. I felt pretty sheepish when they told me what I had done.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2015 04:38AM by Speedy.

Could there be some correlation between this situation and the recent security breaches at places like Home Depot and Target?

This is getting worse by the minute.

TurboTax Temporarily Halts E-Filing In All States Amid Fraud Concerns.

Forbes article on it

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Good Luck!
Jamie Dresser
Other World Computing

What about the Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield data breach affecting 80 million, that's 80 MILLION customers. It's just _gotten_ worse.
Anthem's data base contains Personally identifiable information (PII), such as social security number, date of birth, spouse's name, etc. Everything you need to create an identity.
Time to load up the SVU with liquor, guns and gold, bury your computers, and head for the cabin in the hills (LOL).

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richorlin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2015 01:34PM by richorlin.