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What is an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)?

IP PIN

Fraud can happen to anyone.

If your social security number was used fraudulently in the past, the IRS assigns a six-digit PIN to you; the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).

Eligibility

In order to receive an IP PIN, you will need to meet the following:

  • You received a CP01A notice which will have it located at the bottom of the first column
  • The IRS sent you a letter inviting you to opt-in for the IP PIN
  • You were a resident of Florida, Georgia or the District of Columbia, Michigan, California, Maryland, Nevada, Delaware, Illinois or Rhode Island last year

Note: Taxpayers who experience identity theft after they receive the CP01A notice will need to file the Identity Theft Affidavit. 

The steps on getting an IP PIN

Continue reading “What is an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)?”

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How the government shutdown affects your taxes.

government shutdown

Update: The IRS has announced that the tax season will begin January 28, 2019 to start filing your 2018 tax returns!

Did you try calling the IRS?

Many taxpayers are confused as to how the government shutdown will affect the 2019 tax season. If you pick up the phone and contact the IRS, you’ll receive a short message instead of the typical menu. “Welcome to the IRS. Live telephone assistance is not available at this time. Normal operations will resume as soon as possible,” is what you hear when you call their toll free number.

Overall, this means that all IRS offices are closed because of the government shutdown. Read on to find out what you need to know for this tax season.

First off, what does “government shutdown” mean?

Continue reading “How the government shutdown affects your taxes.”

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How to File Taxes without an IRS W-2 Form

You’re all prepared to start your tax return and then realize you’re missing a W-2. Now what?

There is little that is more vexing as you prepare to file your taxes than to realize that your W-2 or 1099 form has gone missing. Sure, it could have just been shuffled about with other papers. If you think this is the case, then stop reading now and go tackle that stack of paperwork on your desk.

On the other hand, if you never received it in the first place, even Spring cleaning can’t help you. Previous and even current employers often fail to observe due diligence when it comes to providing an employee with necessary tax documents. The task of obtaining them can be quite frustrating as a result.

The situation is usually made worse if you are filing a prior year tax return, at which point a company you worked for years ago may simply have ceased to exist.

Let’s take a look at the steps you can take to obtain your income statement. We’ll even let you know how to file without one altogether. Continue reading “How to File Taxes without an IRS W-2 Form”