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The IRS has issued a statement admitting it made a mistake regarding a recent letter mailed to millions of taxpayers. The letter has to do with requesting taxpayers who participate in the IRS’ income tax electronic filing and information exchange system online. The letters are notifying taxpayers that they have been assigned a new PIN number as part of the implementation of the new 2016 IRS identity theft prevention program. The problem is the letter states the PIN applies to the tax year 2014 when it should have said the PIN applies to the 2015 tax year.
Here is part of the admission of error from the IRS:
“The IRS IP PIN is a 6-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. The IP PIN helps us verify a taxpayer’s identity and accept their electronic or paper tax return.
Due to an error, taxpayers are receiving Identity Protection PIN letters with an incorrect year listed. Taxpayers and tax professionals should be advised the IP PIN listed on the CP01A Notice dated January 4, 2016 is valid for use on all individual tax returns filed in 2016.
The notice incorrectly indicates the IP PIN issued is to be used for filing the 2014 tax return when the number is actually to be used for the 2015 tax return. The IRS emphasizes the IP PIN listed on the CP 01A notice is valid for the 2015 returns. Taxpayers and their tax professionals should use this PIN number for 2015 tax returns, which the IRS will begin accepting from taxpayers starting Jan. 19, 2016.
The IRS apologizes for the confusion and any inconvenience.”
For more information, click here for a link to the entire news release.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our tax experts at McRuer CPAs.
