The Internal Revenue Service has unveiled a new web page on IRS.gov that allows taxpayers to confidentially report suspected tax fraud or evasion, scams, and other tax-related illegal activities.
In a press release, IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano stated that “[i]mprovements to the IRS fraud reporting system make reporting suspected wrongdoing easier and simpler and will address historic challenges that had prevented the IRS from making maximum use of the referrals it receives. By reporting suspected tax fraud or scams, taxpayers play an important role in uncovering fraud and supporting the integrity of the nation’s tax system.”
The new IRS web page consolidates multiple fraud-reporting mechanisms in a single online portal, in an effort to make it easier for taxpayers to report suspicious activity. In addition, the IRS has added a new “Report Fraud” button on the IRS.gov homepage.
The new “report fraud” portal offers users four choices. First, they may report a “tax fraud or scam.” This includes whistleblower claims seeking a financial reward. Second, users may report a fake email or message from fraudsters impersonating IRS or Treasury employees. Third, users can report instances of identity theft. Finally, users can report tax return preparer fraud.
According to the IRS press release, this new web page is only the beginning of improvements to the IRS’s fraud reporting processes. In the future, the IRS plans to streamline fraud reporting by reducing forms, automating processes, and using modern case management software. The press release further notes that these changes will address “historic challenges” the IRS has faced in using fraud referrals from third parties. The IRS concluded by stating that “[c]reating fewer work streams, simplifying how taxpayers submit referrals, and making processing of claims more efficient will improve how IRS uses referrals in years to come.”
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