News

Check back here regularly to find out recent income tax developments. Links on this page will open up an additional window outside of this website.

Tax Scams

Many taxpayers have received communications by impostors pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Most of these communications have been through threatening telephone calls or emails requesting personal information and/or payment. The IRS communicates with taxpayers via regular USPS mail with few exceptions. Even then, those exceptions will be preceded by IRS notices. Click here for an official IRS explanation of how they communicate with taxpayers. Above all, the IRS has protocol to follow when asking for payment as opposed to acting belligerent and demanding. If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer impersonating the IRS, click here for how to report income tax scams. 

Click here and read the section titled Scams Targeting Taxpayers, to see the most common forms of tax scams.

IRS Taxpayer Online Tools and ID Theft PINs

The Internal Revenue Service wants to remind taxpayers that there are now more secure options for conducting their business.

• This link takes you to the many available online payment options, including tax return payments, estimated tax, extensions, penalties, etc.
• More secure access has been established for tax transcripts and ID Theft PINs. You can reach this access tool here.  The secure access function now will let taxpayers view their balances due on the payment options page noted earlier in this paragraph. A listing of all IRS self-service tools is available here.
• The IRS is no longer limiting ID Theft PINS to victims of tax identity theft. Obtaining a PIN is the most effective way to prevent someone using your social security number to file a fraudulent return. You should apply for this PIN outside of the IRS maintenance period of mid-November through mid-January. Click here to apply for this PIN and click this link for more information on the IRS PIN Opt-In program. The IRS will send taxpayers a new PIN before every tax season.

Georgia Tax Center 

The Georgia Department of Revenue has also been affected by fraudulent tax returns and has taken measures to minimize this fraud. The Department strongly recommends that Georgia taxpayers take advantage of the Georgia Tax Center and register. Taxpayers can use the site to pay state income tax, estimated tax, sales and use tax and numerous other fees and taxes. If someone tries to file a return in your name, the GTC will notify you. Also, your return can be viewed online.

Call us at 770.986.8840 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

Wheeler &  Wolcott , PC

3301 Buckeye Rd

Buckeye Plaza

Suite 401

Atlanta, GA 30341

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