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To Fight $5.2B In Identity Theft, IRS May Need To Change the Way You File Taxes

Posted by Soulskill on from the your-tax-dollars-at-work dept.

coondoggie writes: Based on preliminary analysis, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates it paid $5.2 billion in fraudulent identity theft refunds in filing season 2013 while preventing an additional $24.2 billion (based on what it could detect). As a result, the IRS needs to implement changes (PDF) in a system that apparently can't begin verifying refund information until July, months after the tax deadline. Such changes could impact legitimate taxpayers by delaying refunds, extending tax season and likely adding costs to the IRS.

6 of 410 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Corporate taxes by edawstwin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Let's fix the corporate tax evasion first please.

    Let's fix corporate taxes first, so that there is no evasion.

    --
    I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it by not dying. - Woody Allen
  2. Did you find that hard drive yet? by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sorry, it's going to be a long time before anyone believes anything the IRS says again.

  3. Simplify Taxes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How about we simplify taxes so there's no need to issue refunds in the first place?

  4. Solution by Charliemopps · · Score: 5, Insightful

    End income tax.

    No more tax returns. Only tax based on use (i.e. Sales Tax) Problem solved in one fell swoop.
    Tax evasions now impossible and you encourage people to invest rather than spend.
    Oh wait, that's right, we have an entire industry run by blood sucking vampires that need the current system to remain as confusing as possible.

  5. Re:Corporate taxes by Karmashock · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The IRS is raking in record income to the US federal government.

    You aren't out of money because the IRS isn't taking it in... you're out of money because you're spending too much of it.

    By all means... fix corruption... but while you're at it... balance the fucking budget.

    --
    I've decided to stop wasting my time responding to AC trolls/sockpuppets... so if you want a response from me... login.
  6. Re:Corporate taxes by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Let's fix the corporate tax evasion first please.

    Let's fix corporate taxes first, so that there is no evasion.

    Both. The US has very high corporate taxes (relative to other countries) but also has the most advanced system of tax loopholes ever developed by a corrupt legislature. States frequently offer tax incentives to big companies to move or stay in a state, while leaving the same unpalatable taxes (like business property taxes on machines and furniture) on everyone else.

    Tax corps uniformly and quit with the loopholes and the same same income would come in at a lower tax rate, thus addressing both evasion and avoidance.

    --
    I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.