State Rep. Warren Petryk

As April begins to approach, residents of Wisconsin start to prepare for tax season. But this tax season I would like to advise Wisconsin taxpayers to exercise caution as tax theft is on the rise. Last year alone the IRS flagged more than a million returns for possible identity fraud one month before returns were even due. Regretfully, some Wisconsin taxpayers become victims of tax return scams and theft each year. It is imperative that people be aware of the telltale indications of scams and learn about the tools available to stay away from tax fraud.

But how can scammers get access to information without me sending in a return yet? Typically, a scammer only needs some basic information they received through identify theft, and they attempt to file a fake return before you submit your legitimate one. They make fake numbers up and then reroute the return to themselves using their personal bank information. They take great care to hide their tracks, taking the money out of their account as soon as it is deposited. Sometimes these criminals include children's identities to claim them as dependents to inflate the return.

But thankfully there are a couple of free tools and safeguards to help. First, you check to see if a return has been sent in using your name. You can check the progress of your tax return filing through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's (DOR) online service. Go to https://www.revenue.wi.gov, select online services, and search for the "Check on your refund" link. To check your IRS return you can go to https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund.

Another way to improve your tax security is to enable dual authentication on your return, also known as a tax pin. This additional safeguard protects your tax-related information, reducing the possibility of unauthorized access and identity theft. After verifying your identity, you will be given a pin that must be included with your tax return for it to be accepted. You can obtain a pin online from the IRS and the WiDOR. Also, it’s always wise to utilize strong passwords when accessing your tax software to deter theft.

If you find that you might have been the victim of theft, report it promptly to the IRS at 1-800-829-0433 and the WI Department of Revenue at 608-266-2486. You should also consider visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s website www.identifyteheft.gov which can provide a number of resources to help mitigate the effects of the theft.

Also, here are several steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of being targeted by tax thieves:

• File taxes early to avoid theft.
• Ensure antivirus software and computer system are current.
• You should be aware that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the US Treasury, and the IRS will NEVER contact you and threaten to arrest you or take other legal action because you owe unpaid taxes. These are all prank calls.

If you want to learn more about what you can do to protect against tax theft, you can visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/ImposterScams214.aspx. In addition, if you need assistance with your taxes, the state has additional resources that can help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program. You can visit either the IRS or WiDOR’s website or you can dial 211 and ask them if there is a site near you. And as always, my team and I are here to assist you. You can reach my office by dialing 888-534-0093 toll free or by emailing me at Rep.Petryk@legis.wisconsin.gov.