IRS YouTube Video:
New Security Measures Help Protect Against Tax-Related Identity Theft  English

WASHINGTON – As part of a wider effort to increase security, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers they can get extra protection starting in January by joining the agency’s Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) program.

Anyone who can verify their identity can protect themselves against tax-related identity theft by opting into the IP PIN program. More than 5.1 million taxpayers are now participating in the IP PIN program, enabling them to proactively protect themselves against identity theft. The IRS has made recent changes to the program to make it easier for more taxpayers to join. The fastest and easiest way to receive an IP Pin is by using the Get an IP PIN tool.

Today’s reminder marks the third day of National Tax Security Awareness Week, which runs through Dec. 3. This annual observance is sponsored by the Security Summit, a partnership that includes state tax agencies, the nation’s tax industry and the IRS.

The Security Summit was established in 2015 to protect taxpayers and the nation’s tax system against tax-related identity theft. This unique collaboration between the public and private sectors has increased mutual defenses against criminals trying to file fraudulent tax returns and steal refunds.

One of the key features of the IRS system involves an IP PIN, which is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number on fraudulent federal income tax returns.

An IP PIN is known only to the taxpayer and the IRS. Originally designed for confirmed victims of tax-related identity theft, the IP PIN program was expanded in 2021 to include any taxpayer, nationwide, who wants the additional protection and security of using an IP PIN to file tax returns with the IRS.

“When people have this special code, it prevents someone else from filing a tax return in their name,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The fastest way to get an Identity Protection PIN is to use our online tool, but keep in mind people must pass a rigorous authentication process. We must know that the person asking for the IP PIN is who they really say they are.”

An IP PIN helps the IRS verify a taxpayer’s identity and accept their federal income tax returns, regardless of whether they are filing electronically or on paper. The online Get an IP PIN tool at IRS.gov/IPPIN immediately displays the taxpayer’s IP PIN. In each subsequent year, any participating taxpayer will then use the tool to obtain a new number.

The IRS urges any IP PIN applicant previously rejected during the identity authentication process to try applying again in 2022. The authentication process has been refined and improved, now enabling many taxpayers screened out in the past to have a better chance of passing the authentication process.

Before applying, keep in mind these key points about the IP PIN program:

Options for people who can’t pass the online authentication process

Two options are available for people who cannot pass the IRS online identity authentication process. One involves filing Form 15227 and the other requires a visit to an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Unlike the online option, both of these options involve, for security reasons, a delay in receiving an IP PIN.

Form 15227: For processing year 2022, individuals with an adjusted gross income of $73,000 or less and those married filing jointly with an AGI of $146,000 or less with access to a telephone can complete Form 15227 (.pdf) and either mail or fax it to the IRS. An IRS representative will then call them to verify their identity with a series of questions. Taxpayers choosing this option who pass the identity authentication process will generally receive their IP PIN in about a month.

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers: Any taxpayer who is ineligible to file a Form 15227 may make an appointment to visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Anyone using this option must bring two forms of picture identification. Because this is an in-person identity verification, an IP PIN will be mailed to the taxpayer after their visit. Normally, allow three weeks for delivery. To find the nearest TAC, use the IRS Local Office Locator online tool or call 844-545-5640.

The IRS, state tax agencies, the private sector tax industry, including tax professionals, work in partnership as the Security Summit to help protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud. This is the third in a week-long series of tips to raise awareness about identity theft.

See IRS.gov/securitysummit for more details. Also, check out the most recent A Closer Look column on National Tax Security Awareness Week here.

Rev. Proc. 2021-53 provides temporary guidance regarding the treatment of certain stock distributions by publicly offered REITs and RICs. Specifically, in recognition of the need for enhanced liquidity as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this Rev. Proc. modifies the safe harbor provided in Rev. Proc. 2017-45, 2017-35 I.R.B. 216, by temporarily reducing the minimum required aggregate amount of cash that distributee shareholders may receive to not less than 10 percent of the total distribution in order for § 301 of the Code, by reason of § 305(b) of the Code, to apply to such distribution. This temporary modification is effective solely with respect to distributions declared by a publicly offered REIT or publicly offered RIC on or after November 1, 2021, and on or before June 30, 2022.

Rev. Proc. 2021-53 will be in IRB: 2021-51, dated 12/20/2021.

Notice 2021-64 contains the 2021 Required Amendments List. The Required Amendments List establishes the end of the remedial amendment period and the plan amendment deadline for changes in qualification requirements and section 403(b) requirements set forth on the list for qualified individually designed plans and section 403(b) individually designed plans, respectively.

Notice 2021-64 will be in IRB 2021-50 on December 13, 2021.

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service and Security Summit partners today warned taxpayers to be wary of fake charities used by scammers to get money as well as sensitive financial and personal information from victims.

Today being Giving Tuesday marks a special day as the holidays approach and people give to their favorite causes through charitable organizations. Scammers can take advantage of this by setting up fake charities to trick unsuspecting donors into providing not only money, but also their sensitive information.

The Security Summit - a coalition of state tax agencies, the nation’s tax community and the IRS - urged people to make sure they are giving to a legitimate charity. This can help protect taxpayer’s personal and financial data and help prevent tax-related identity theft.

Donors should always check to make sure they are giving to a legitimate charity and can easily do so by using a special IRS tool: the Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool.

This is Day 2 of National Tax Security Awareness Week, now in its sixth year. The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working together as the Security Summit – are providing tips this week to help protect people against identity theft as well as help safeguard sensitive tax information that criminals can use to try filing fake tax returns and obtaining refunds.

The special week includes special informational graphics and social media efforts on platforms including Twitter and Instagram through @IRSnews and #TaxSecurity.

The combination of the holiday shopping season, the upcoming tax season and the pandemic create additional opportunities for criminals to steal sensitive information. People should take extra care while shopping online or viewing emails and texts.

The Summit partners remind taxpayers to be on the lookout for scammers and identity thieves who set up fake organizations to take advantage of the public's generosity. Scammers take advantage of tragedies and disasters.

Scams requesting donations for disaster relief efforts are especially common over the phone. Taxpayers should always check out a charity before they donate, and they should not feel pressured to give immediately.

Tips to help taxpayers avoid fake charity scams:

Taxpayers who give money or goods to a charity may be able to claim a deduction on their federal tax return by reducing the amount of their taxable income. However, to receive a deduction, taxpayers must donate to a qualified charity. To check the status of a charity, they can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool.

The IRS, state tax agencies, the private sector tax industry, including tax professionals, work in partnership as the Security Summit to help protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud. This is part of a week-long series of tips to raise awareness about identity theft. See IRS.gov/securitysummit for more details.

Today, the IRS published the latest executive column “A Closer Look,” which features Michael Beebe, Director, Return Integrity & Compliance Services, providing tips to help protect taxpayers during National Tax Security Awareness Week and the holiday season. “We encourage people and organizations to visit IRS.gov or follow our social media channels to receive information every day during National Tax Security Awareness Week,” said Beebe. “Keeping personal and financial information safe is a shared responsibility. People can take simple steps to protect their sensitive tax and financial information.” Read more here. Read the Spanish version here.

Check out the National Tax Security Awareness kick-off news release here.

“A Closer Look” is a column from IRS executives that covers a variety of timely issues of interest to taxpayers and the tax community. It also provides a detailed look at key issues affecting everything from IRS operations and employees to issues involving taxpayers and tax professionals.

Check here for prior posts and new updates.

IRS YouTube Video:
Security Measures Protect Against Tax-Related Identity Theft - English

WASHINGTON — Kicking off a special week, the Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners today warned taxpayers and tax professionals to beware of a dangerous combination of events that can increase their exposure to tax scams or identity theft.

The combination of the holiday shopping season, the upcoming tax season and the pandemic create additional opportunities for criminals to steal sensitive personal or finance information. People should take extra care while shopping online or viewing emails and texts.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working together as the Security Summit – mark today’s start of the 6th annual National Tax Security Awareness Week with tips on basic safeguards everyone should take. These can help protect against identity theft as well as help safeguard sensitive tax information that criminals can use to try filing fake tax returns and obtaining refunds.

"Don’t let this be the most wonderful time of the year for identity thieves,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The approach of the holidays and tax season increases risk for taxpayers and opportunities for criminals. We urge people to be extra careful with their personal and financial information during this period while shopping online or getting suspicious emails or text. Taking a few simple steps can keep people from becoming victims of identity theft and protect their sensitive personal information needed for tax returns and refunds.”

Since 2015, the IRS and Security Summit partners have taken important steps to protect taxpayers and the nation’s tax professionals from tax-related identity theft. But progress in this area led identity thieves to evolve their tactics, trying to obtain sensitive information from taxpayers and tax professionals to help prepare fraudulent tax returns. Taxpayers can help in this fight by protecting their financial and tax information. Summit partners continue to highlight safety steps in the “Taxes.Security.Together” effort.

As part of that effort, National Tax Security Awareness Week is designed to help share information with taxpayers and tax professionals during this critical period. The special week includes special informational graphics and social media efforts on platforms including Twitter and Instagram through @IRSnews and #TaxSecurity.

A special emphasis for this year on social media will be focusing tax security awareness on younger and older Americans. Even if someone doesn’t file a tax return, their online interactions can lead to scam artists obtaining sensitive information and using it to try obtaining a refund.

10 key steps to protect sensitive information:

To help taxpayers and tax professionals, the Security Summit offers 10 basic steps everyone should remember during the holidays and as the 2022 tax season approaches:

Other common warning signs; additional places for information

The IRS and Summit partners continue to see identity thieves trying to look like government agencies and others in the tax community by emailing or texting about tax refunds, stimulus payments or other items. Remember, the IRS will not call or send unexpected texts or emails about things like refunds. More information about these common scams is available at IRS Tax Tip: Common tax scams and tips to help taxpayers avoid them.

The IRS and Security Summit partners are sharing YouTube videos on security steps for taxpayers. The videos can be viewed or downloaded at Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone and Here’s How to Avoid IRS Text Message Scams.

Employers also can share Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers (.pdf), with their employees and customers while tax professionals can share with clients.

In addition, the Summit partners remind people these security measures include mobile phones – an area that people sometimes can overlook. Thieves have become more adept at compromising mobile phones. Phone users also are more prone to open a scam email from their phone than from their computer.

Taxpayers can check out security recommendations for their specific mobile phone by reviewing the Federal Communications Commission's Smartphone Security Checker. Since phones are used for shopping and even for doing taxes, remember to make sure phones and tablets are just as secure as computers.

During the pandemic, there continue to be numerous scams related to COVID-19. These can be attempts to gain sensitive personal or financial information. The Federal Trade Commission also has issued alerts; consumers can keep atop the latest scam information and report COVID-related scams.

The IRS, state tax agencies, the private sector tax industry, including tax professionals, work in partnership as the Security Summit to help protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud. This is the first in a week-long series of tips to raise awareness about identity theft. See IRS.gov/securitysummit for more details.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service this week launched a new Spanish-language version of the Child Tax Credit Update Portal (CTC-UP). This tool is designed to help families quickly and easily make changes to the monthly Child Tax Credit payments they are receiving from the IRS.

Families who are already receiving monthly payments use the CTC-UP to update their accounts. Now, all the features that have only been available in English are also available in Spanish. Updates made by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Nov. 29 will be reflected in the last monthly payment for 2021, scheduled for Dec. 15.

Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families began receiving monthly payments starting in July. For these families, each payment is up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17. Payments are based on returns filed for 2019 or 2020, including those who registered online with the IRS.

Available only on IRS.gov, CTC-UP allows families to verify their eligibility for the payments and then, if they choose to:

Be sure to make any changes by 11:59 pm ET on Nov. 29. To access the portal, visit IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021.

Families are typically receiving half of their total CTC in advance monthly payments during 2021. They can claim the rest of the credit when they file their 2021 federal income tax return next year. To help them do that, early in 2022, families will receive Letter 6419 documenting any advance payments issued to them during 2021 and the number of qualifying children used to calculate the advance payments.

Non-filers can get lump-sum next year; community partners can help

The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information and use available online tools to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups learn about the expanded Child Tax Credit. While it’s now too late to sign up for advance payments of the CTC during 2021, it’s not too late for eligible families to get the full benefit of the credit.

To do that, any eligible family who missed out on this year’s monthly payments can still get a lump-sum payment by filing a 2021 federal income tax return next year. This includes families who don’t normally need to file a return with the IRS.

Links to online tools, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful resources are available on the IRS’ special advance CTC 2021 page.

Revenue Ruling 2021-24 provides interest rates for underpayments and overpayments. The rates for interest determined under Section 6621 of the code for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2022, will be 3 percent for overpayments (2 percent in the case of a corporation), 3 percent for underpayments, and 5 percent for large corporate underpayments. The rate of interest paid on the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000 will be 0.5 percent.

Revenue Ruling 2021-24 will be in IRB: IRB 2021-50, dated December 13, 2021.

WASHINGTON –The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning Jan. 1, 2022. The rates will be: 

Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is determined on a quarterly basis.  For taxpayers other than corporations, the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points.

Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points.  The rate for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 percentage points.  The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.

The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal short-term rate determined during October 2021 to take effect Nov. 1, 2021, based on daily compounding.

Revenue Ruling 2021-24, announcing the rates of interest, is attached and will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-50, dated Dec. 13, 2021.

Attached is an advance copy of REG-109128-21 , proposed regulations, which provide that “minimum essential coverage,” as that term is used in health insurance-related tax laws, does not include Medicaid coverage that is limited to COVID-19 testing and diagnostic services provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  The proposed regulations also provide an automatic extension of time for providers of minimum essential coverage to furnish individual statements regarding such coverage, and an alternative method for furnishing individual statements when the shared responsibility payment amount is zero.  Lastly, the proposed regulations provide an automatic extension of time for “applicable large employers” to furnish statements relating to health insurance that the employer offers to its full-time employees.