Identity theft can cause a serious tax issue

Many Texas residents feel a sense of relief once they have their tax return filed. However, they may feel a pit in their stomach if they receive a notice that their return has been rejected. While this can happen for various reasons, including due to simple mistakes, it may be a bigger issue if the rejection occurs because someone else filed a fraudulent tax return, which causes a serious tax issue.

A fraudulent tax return can involve using someone else’s Social Security number to file the return and is essentially a form of identity theft. While the issue can lead to criminal charges for the person filing the fraudulent return, it can also cause problems for the person whose identity was stolen. In addition to resulting in a rejected tax return, it could also lead to credit issues and other problems that need to be monitored.

If a taxpayer does suspect that another person fraudulently used his or her SSN, the taxpayer can still file his or her tax return. However, an Identity Theft Affidavit must also be filed with the return. This form will give the taxpayer the opportunity to explain the situation and provide relevant information. The IRS also has recommended steps to take if a taxpayer believes that his or her identity has been stolen.

In such a case, it may be wise for Texas residents to consider getting legal help to ensure that they are handling the tax matter and associated identity theft issues appropriately. Experienced tax law attorneys could help concerned taxpayers understand what forms they may need to file along with their returns in efforts to have the tax issue corrected. It is not always easy to deal with a rejected tax return, and when identity theft is involved, it can be even more complicated.