IRS Providing Copies of Fraudulent Returns for Tax ID Theft Victims

By following the instructions posted by the IRS, taxpayers can now obtain copies of returns that were filed by thieves using the taxpayer’s stolen identification.

The IRS will provide copies of fraudulent returns for the current tax year and up to six previous tax years to taxpayers who wish to determine what information about them was stolen and how it was used. However, a request for a copy must meet strict requirements.

Due to federal privacy laws, an identity theft victim’s name and Social Security number (SSN) must be listed as the primary or secondary taxpayer on the fraudulent return. The request should contain the following information:

• Name and Social Security number
• Mailing address
• Tax year or years requested
• The statement “I declare that I am the taxpayer.”
• Written signature

Certain information from the provided returns will be redacted, including names and addresses of primary taxpayers, identification numbers, employer identification numbers, telephone numbers, and banking and routing numbers.

Requests can be mailed to the IRS at P.O. Box 9039, Andover, MA 01810-0939.

The IRS must resolve the identity theft case before being able to provide a copy of any affected return. After a case has been resolved, the taxpayer will receive requested returns or follow-up correspondence within 90 days.