Today is the official start of the Michigan individual income tax filing season, and while many will be excited to get started on finding a refund, there is also cautionary advice on how to avoid having your identity stolen and perhaps your refund along with it.
The Michigan Department of Treasury says that effective immediately, Michiganders can start filing their 2019 tax year state income tax returns online or by mailing paper forms and supporting paperwork through the U.S. Postal Service. All individual income tax returns must be e-filed or postmarked by Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks says, “We are ready to begin processing your state income tax return,” and adds, “Filing electronically is the easiest and quickest way for Michigan taxpayers to get any refund due. This helps ensure tax returns are accurate and improves tax refund turnaround times.”
Eubanks says choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. In fact, she notes, last year, more than 4.3 million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is 85-percent of state income tax filers.
For more information about e-filing, you can click this link: http://www.mifastfile.org
Printed tax forms are being distributed and will be available in limited quantities by mid-February at public libraries, some northern Michigan post offices, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services county offices and Treasury Field Offices.
For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the individual income tax filing season are the same as they are for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and your federal returns.
Individuals with low income, disabilities or who are 60 years of age or older may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers. For information about free tax help, you can go online to: irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or dial 2-1-1.
To learn more about Michigan’s individual income tax or to download forms, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax.
Meanwhile, as tax season gets underway, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has kicked off Tax-related Identity Theft Awareness Week and her office will share information daily to raise awareness and motivate consumers to ensure their personal information is protected.
Nessel says, “Beginning today and through Friday, January 31st, my office will share tips to ensure Michiganders are equipped with the necessary tools to spot and stop thieves this tax season and beyond,” adding, “Bad actors stop at nothing to get our personal information and it’s imperative that everyone knows the signs.”
Tax-related Identity Theft occurs when someone uses stolen personal information – including, but not limited to, an individual’s Social Security number (SSN) – to file a phony tax return and claim the refund.
The IRS is often the first to inform a victim that their identity has been stolen. Steps to ensure consumers protect themselves and avoid being a victim include the following:
- Do not give out your SSN unless there’s a good reason, you’re confident you’re giving it to someone authorized to request this information, and you know how they will protect it.
- File your tax return as early as you can.
- If you file electronically, use a secure internet connection.
- If filing by mail, send your tax return directly from the post office.
- Research a tax preparer thoroughly before you hand over your personal information and never send your personal information in a text or email.
- Review the IRS’ Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft and its Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.
- REMEMBER: The IRS will never call taxpayers with threats of lawsuits or arrests, nor will they ask you to wire money, pay with a gift card or prepaid debit card, or share your credit card information over the phone.
Nessel encourages those who find they are victims of any type of identity theft to follow the steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint. If an individual’s Social Security Number is compromised and tax-related identity theft is suspected, the IRS recommends that consumers:
- Immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490;
- Respond immediately to any IRS notice;
- Complete IRS Form 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit (also available online through IRS Publication 5027 Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers);
- Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper; and
- Remember that even if a false refund is claimed and issued in your name, identity scammers do not actually steal “your” refund. If you are legally entitled to a tax refund, being a verified victim of tax-related identity theft will not change that. Your refund may be delayed, but you will, eventually, get your refund.
All of this information and more will be accessible through a special section on the AG’s homepage throughout Tax-related Identity Theft Awareness Week. Follow the AG’s official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages along with subscribing to the department’s consumer alerts to receive the most up-to-date to date consumer news.
