Unfortunately, the incidence of fraudulent tax filings continues to grow and Michigan physicians are not immune. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) encourages you "to be alert to possible tax-related identity theft if you receive a notice from the IRS or learn from your tax professional that:

• More than one tax return was filed for you;
• You owe additional tax, have a refund offset or have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return;
• IRS records indicate you received more wages than you actually earned or
• Your state or federal benefits were reduced or cancelled because the agency received information reporting an income change."

If you are a victim of tax-related identity theft you should:

• File a report with the local police.
• Create an Identity Theft Report by contacting the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or 1-877-438-4338 (TTY 1-866-653-4261).
• Contact the Internal Revenue Service Identity Protection Specialized Unit 1-800-908-4490 to report the fraud.
• Complete and file IRS Form 14039 - Identity Theft Affidavit with the required documentation.
• Contact the Michigan Department of Treasury by calling 1-517-636-4486, by email at Treasury-ReportIDTheft@michigan.gov or mail to: Identify Theft Unit, Income Tax Division, P.O. Box 30477, Lansing, MI 48909.
• Notify the fraud departments of the three major credit reporting agencies:
  • Equifax: 800-525-6285
  • Experian: 888-397-3742
  • TransUnion: 800-680-7289
• Update your files by:
  • Recording the dates you made calls and sent letters/affidavits
  • Keeping copies of any letters, etc. received and/or sent 

For additional information regarding tax related identity theft, review the IRS's Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers or visit www.irs.gov/identitytheft or the FTC's www.identitytheft.gov.

Remember, "The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels." If you receive an email claiming to be from the IRS, forward it to phishing@irs.gov and do NOT reply or click on any links.