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The IRS has issued a warning about bogus IRS scam emails that are floating around the Internet. This is one of the latest identity theft scheme aimed to scare taxpayers into giving up personal information. The IRS urges the public to protect themselves from falling victims to identity theft thieves or to tax return preparers who urge them to claim tax credits on your tax return for which they are not really eligible.

Delete all Emails Claiming to be from the IRS

The IRS does not send out emails period! If you have received an email claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, no matter how official it looks, then it is a scam. The email may contain the IRS’ information such as address and even a logo but it is not from the IRS. There have been many IRS email scams especially around tax filing time. The bottom line is that you will never receive an official email from the IRS. The IRS will not discuss your tax situation via email and will not send you an email asking information so that they can give you proper tax credit, tax deductions or tax rebate.

The scam email you receive will not point you to the official, authentic IRS website. Instead, you will land on a scam website which you will be asked many questions such as your name, address, social security number, etc. The scammers might ask you to register for a stimulus credit. They might utilize information that can be found on CNN or other news channels. They might reference President Obama’s stimulus progams in order to convince you that their program or email is legitimate. They may say that they need your information to deposit money into your bank account.

If you receive this type of email, you should delete it or report it to the authority. However, the FBI says that it is very hard to track this type of scam. It is hard to monitor them because they usually come from outside of the US. They may be from Europe or other parts of the world and by the time they are reported and investigated, they are long gone.

What is Phishing?

Scammers often try to steal their victims’ identities by sending them phony e-mails (such as ones from the IRS) which claim to come from trusted sources, such as well-known financial institutions or government agencies (including the IRS), and ask them for detailed personal and financial information. This practice is known as “phishing.” The information requested is used by the scammers to gain access to the victims’ bank accounts, open new credit cards in their victims’ names and get cash advances, and more.

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Fraud

The IRS has begun to investigate tax returns that falsely claim the first-time homebuyer tax credit. The first-time homebuyer credit, originally passed in 2008 and modified in 2009, provides up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers. The purchaser must qualify as a first-time homebuyer, which, for purposes of claiming this credit, is someone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years. If the taxpayer is married, this requirement also applies to the taxpayer’s spouse. The home purchase must close before Dec. 1, 2009, to qualify. The credit may not be claimed on the purchaser’s tax return until after the taxpayer actually closes and has purchased the home. Different rules apply for homes bought in 2008.

People who don’t meet the requirements for claiming the credit shouldn’t claim it, even if their tax return preparer urges it. Taxpayers are responsible for the accuracy of their tax return, even when the return is prepared by someone other than the taxpayer.

I don’t work and my husband has been at his job for 15 years and is just now making a lot more money each year. We don’t own any property and we had lots of deductibles and we never got a dime of it back on our taxes. Should I ask the IRS for an audit?

If you have not kept a copy of your tax return filed with the IRS, it is ok. You can request a copy of your tax return from the IRS. This is how you can do it.

How to Request Copy of Tax Return from IRS

If you need an exact copy of a previously filed and processed tax return and all attachments (including Form W-2), you should:

• complete  Form 4506 (PDF), Request for Copy of Tax Return, and
• mail it to the address listed in the instructions, along with
• a $57.00 fee for each tax year requested.

The check or money order for the fee should be made payable to the “United States Treasury”.

Which year tax returns can I request from the IRS?

Copies are generally available for returns filed in the current and past six years. Copies of jointly filed tax returns may be requested by either spouse and only one signature is required.

How long does it take to request a copy of tax return from the IRS?

Allow 60 calendar days to receive your copies.

Will a computer printout  of my return be sufficient?

Most needs for tax return information can be met with a computer print-out of your return information called a “transcript”. A transcript may be an acceptable substitute for an exact copy of a return by:

• the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and
• lending agencies for student loans and mortgages.

A “tax return transcript” will show most line items contained on the return as it was originally filed. If you need a statement of your tax account which shows changes that you or the IRS made after the original return was filed, however, you must request a “tax account transcript”.

Both transcripts are generally available for the current and past three years and are provided free of charge. The period in which you will receive the transcript varies from within ten to thirty business days from the time the IRS receives your request for the tax return or tax account transcript.

How to obtain a tax return transcript?

You can obtain a transcript by calling 800–829–1040 and following the prompts in the recorded message or by completing and mailing Form 4506-T (PDF), Request for Transcript of Tax Return, to the address listed in the instructions. Forms can be  ordered by calling 800–829–3676. Transcripts may also be mailed to a third party if you specify this on Form 4506-T, however, you must sign and date the form giving your consent for the disclosure.

How to Request Copy of Tax Return from IRS if you are in a Federally Declared Disaster area?

If you are a taxpayer impacted by a federally declared disaster, the IRS will waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of tax returns for people who need them to apply for benefits or to file amended returns claiming disaster-related losses. For additional information, refer to Topic 107, Tax Relief Disaster Situations, or call the IRS Disaster Assistance Hotline at 866–562–5227.

If you do not agree with the IRS’ evaluation of your tax returns, then you have the right to appeal. As well as knowing how to appeal to the IRS, you also need to know some tips for when you are appealing. The IRS has an appeals system for people who do not agree with the results of an examination of their tax returns or with other adjustments to their tax liability. Here are the top six things to know when it comes to your appeal rights. More information on the IRS appeals process can be found in the IRS Publication 5, Your Appeal Rights and How to Prepare a Protest if you Don’t Agree.

Will the IRS send me a letter?

When the IRS makes an adjustment to your tax return, they will send you a report or a letter explaining the proposed adjustments. This letter will alert you of your right to request a conference with an Appeals office and how to put in a request for such a conference.

What can I appeal?

In addition to examinations, many other things can be appealed.  You can also appeal:

• penalties,
• interest,
• trust fund recovery penalties,
• offers in compromise,
• liens and levies.

What records and documentation do I need to appeal?

If you request an Appeals conference, be prepared with records and documentation to support your position.

Should I represent myself or get a lawyer in appeal conferences/hearings?

Appeals conferences are informal meetings. You may represent yourself or have someone else represent you. Those allowed to represent taxpayers include attorneys, accountants or individual enrolled to practice before the IRS.

What if I disagree with IRS Appeals?

If you do not reach agreement with IRS Appeals or if you do not wish to appeal within the IRS, you may appeal certain actions through the courts.

Usually people panic when they receive an IRS notice. When a letter from the IRS has arrived, and it is not a tax refund check, taxpayers may not know what to do and what the proper courses of action should be. But the first think to do is to not panic. Many of these IRS notices and letters can be dealt with simply and painlessly. Most correspondence can be handled without calling or visiting an IRS office. However, if you have questions, call the telephone number in the upper right-hand corner of the IRS notice you received. Have a copy of your tax return and the correspondence available when you call to help us respond to your inquiry. Be sure to keep copies of any correspondence with your records.

Why does the IRS send me a notice?

Each year, the IRS sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers to:

• request payment of taxes,
• notify them of a change to their account or
• request additional information.

The notice you receive normally covers a very specific issue about your account or tax return. Each letter and notice offers specific instructions on what you are asked to do to satisfy the inquiry.

What is the IRS Correction Notice?

If you receive a correction notice, you should review the correspondence and compare it with the information on your return.

If you agree with the IRS

If you agree with the correction to your account, usually no reply is necessary unless a payment is due.

If you disagree with the IRS

If you do not agree with the correction the IRS made, it is important that you respond as requested.You should write to the IRS and

• explain why you disagree.
• include any documents and information you wish the IRS to consider, along with the bottom tear-off portion of the notice.
• mail the information to the IRS address shown in the upper left-hand corner of the notice.
• allow at least 30 days for a response from the IRS.

Where to get more information about IRS notices?

For more information about IRS notices and bills, see IRS Publication 594, What You Should Know about the IRS Collection Process. Information about penalties and interest charges is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax.