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We are in 2012 and are told we have advanced because of technology..yet this year one out of every ten tax returns filed have been a victim of Identity Theft.  In the Miami Hearld there is an article published around March or April stated some startling facts.  Three years ago the percentage of Indentity Theft weas 1%, the next 2010 it was 5% and the 2011 tax year 10%.  This year in my office I had one case and we have been preparing this person's tax return for around 15 years.  Really!  This is an unacceptable percentage and the federal government has paid millions in fraudulent claims.  The victims are treated worst the the criminals and this type of theft follows them for the rest of there lives.  E-services information is incomplete and punishes the victim by requiring the individual to have to go to an IRS office to receive a copy of there Individual Tax Return and provide photo documentation, while e-services leaves the criminals full information on the site.  Mind you there is no notification to the Enrolled Agent, Attorney or CPA that this is an Identity Theft situation.

The IRS system dealing with the Identity Theft issue is cumberson and extremely time consuming.  The right hand does not know what the left hand is doing, to coin a tired old phrase.  Would love to hear your comments and suggestions on how to resolve this issur.  We all as tax professionals need to take a stand.

Thank you,
Nancy Bell Westbury
Enrolled Agent