| Help available for those filing tax-rebate forms
GRAND RAPIDS -- For most people, filing tax returns is an annual ritual. But this year, millions who usually aren't required to file federal returns will have to in order to receive economic stimulus rebates approved by Congress in January. The IRS and the United Way's Kent County Tax Coalition plan to make help available Saturday for those seeking to file federal tax forms solely to receive stimulus rebates. The IRS office at 678 Front Ave. NW will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to offer help in filing tax forms required to receive the rebate. The Tax Coalition will offer assistance from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Davenport University's Welcome Center downtown, 415 E. Fulton St. Those seeking assistance will need a picture ID, Social Security card, Social Security benefits statement form SSA-1099 or railroad benefits statement form RRB-1099 or their Department of Veterans Affairs yearly benefit total.
How to avert ID theft during tax time
For an identity thief, tax time is prime time. Tax documents filed electronically to the Internal Revenue Service are a gold mine for hackers as they contain Social Security numbers, addresses and financial information. Here are some ID theft-fighting tips from the makers of Identity Finder software: • If downloading your IRS W2 forms, 1099s and other personal tax documents from your employer, create a strong password (one with numbers, letters and punctuation) when registering to download them. • Configure all peer-to-peer file sharing programs to disable the sharing of your personal folders so identity thieves can't download your tax return. • Don't e-mail tax documents to your accountant unless they are encrypted to prevent anyone snooping on your network from gaining access.
Tax scams on the rise at NCL’s Fraud Center
Washington, D.C. -- Tax-related scams are on the rise, according to consumer complaints tracked by the National Consumers League's Fraud Center. Reports of tax scams from consumers nearly quadrupled in 2007 from the year before, and the trend seems to be continuing into 2008."This time of year - and with the economy in the shape it's currently in - crooks see vulnerable prey in consumers feeling the squeeze at tax time, said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director, National Consumers League. "Posing as IRS officials, these criminals pretend to be helping consumers claim a refund they're due, but they're really setting up a sting to steal consumers' hard-earned cash. Consumers who are eager to get their refund faster may be vulnerable to these pitches."In the scam, which was first reported to NCL's Fraud Center in April 2005, the two most common scenarios are both "Phishing" schemes: the victim receives a phone call from an "IRS employee" offering a tax refund - however, they need the taxpayer's checking account number, he or she is told, in order to deposit the money.
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