More than one million tax returns have been reported for possible identity fraud. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Total fraud was confirmed during the same period last year
After much interest in the program, the agency announced Tuesday that it will be testing a free direct online tax filing service for the 2024 tax filing season. If the return is identified through filters used by government agencies, it will be held until the IRS verifies your identity. The filters are said to include criteria based on characteristics of confirmed fraudulent tax returns, such as the amount of self-assessed or withheld tax, filing requirements, age, filing history, and inmate status.
Developed and built a prototype system for use in a pilot program
This program could help taxpayers prepare and file their taxes without relying on the big tax preparation firms that have spent millions of dollars blocking previous proposals. According to a survey conducted by the IRS as part of the report, 72% of taxpayers are considered “very interested” or “somewhat interested” in using direct file services. The survey also found 68 percent of people who prepare their returns would be “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to switch to a free online tool from the IRS.