IRS Nationwide Sweep Targets Identity Theft Suspects; Enforcement Intensifies

Abstract

As the 2013 filing season gets underway, the IRS is intensifying its efforts to crackdown on tax-related identity theft. The agency undertook a nationwide sweep in January that targeted identity theft suspects. The IRS has also upgraded its identity theft screening filters and increased training for employees. Identity theft often starts when someone's personal information is stolen or lost. Identity thieves use a taxpayer's identity to fraudulently file a tax return and claim a refund. The IRS reported that the nationwide sweep in January against 389 identity theft suspects led to 734 enforcement actions that month, including indictments, informations, complaints and arrests.