Anyone ever been asked for photos of your ID and Social Security card, when filing taxes online?

[arcane1]

This has been the most ridiculous tax season of my LIFE!!

[notadmblnd]

1. no, and I wouldn't provide one either

ID is not required to file taxes. Lots of IRS scams out there right now. My dad called me yesterday and said the IRS called him and told him that he needed to pay 500.00 over the phone or they were going to send police to arrest him. I do his taxes, he called me scared. He's retired and gets ss and pension. He owes no taxes.

I don't know what tax program you are using but, I advise to stick with a well know one such as Turbo Tax or Tax Act. They both have a free filing option if that is how you are trying to file.

[arcane1]

5. This is a site I found a link to at IRS.gov! esmarttax is their name.

It's been insane. They rejected my return with no reason, then locked me out. I get unlocked and was told I need to send the ID photo.

I sent them one. Two days ago.

Today, I live-chat with someone on the site, and they say to send a clearer photo of the ID, plus a photo of the SS card. Then locked me out again!

I'm wondering if I should contact the IRS and advise them not to link to these idiots anymore

[Oilwellian]

7. Was it an ad?

It sounds like you've just experienced an identity theft. No one ever asks for a copy of your SS card when doing taxes. Ever.

[notadmblnd]

8. Yeah, you might want to call IRS.

I've been doing taxes online for years. I also do them for other people. I do buy my program though. However, I have never ever had to provide ID for anyone's taxes that I have done and if your return is rejected for some reason, they send you an email telling you the reason why it was rejected.

[Agschmid]

9. Scam.

Watch out.

[pugetres]

11. hmm. Alarm bells...

I question if someone has already submitted a return to the IRS using your personal information. That would trigger a rejection for sure.

My husband is a CPA who works for a corporation that sells software that processes online tax returns and that company would never ask for a copy of ID let alone for a copy of an SS card. The IRS would request that sort of documentation but an online tax service? They have no need for that.

If it were me, I would contact IRS.gov to find out if a tax return has already been submitted for 2014 using your social security number. I would be really concerned about identity theft.

[Lefta Dissenter]

17. Boo.

That would suck.

[Daemonaquila]

19. So here's irony.

According to their own post on their Facebook page:

IRS Tax Tips: Beware of Tax Scams
IRS Warns of Tax-time Scams
It's true: tax scams proliferate during the income tax filing season. This year's season opens on Jan. 31. The IRS provides the following scam warnings so you can protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim of these crimes:
...
Here are several steps you can take to help protect yourself against scams and identity theft:
• Don't carry your Social Security card or any documents that include your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
• Don't give a business your SSN or ITIN just because they ask. Give it only when required.
• Protect your financial information.
...
• Don't give personal information over the phone, through the mail or on the Internet unless you have initiated the contact and are sure of the recipient.
• Be careful when you choose a tax preparer. Most preparers provide excellent service, but there are a few who are unscrupulous. Refer to Tips to Help you Choose a Tax Preparer for more details.

*Cough*
It looks like their customers HAAAAAAAATE them.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/finance/esmart-tax.html
Unfortunately, it sounds like you're stuck this year, but... never again. Let the IRS know that they're problematic at best, and ask them to stop referring people to them.

[sharp_stick]

2. Nope

I wouldn't do it? Are you using common tax software?

[arcane1]

6. See post 5 n/t

[Jesus Malverde]

3. weird....nt

[handmade34]

4. no!

sounds suspicious

[NYC_SKP]

10. I don't think that esmart tax is a scam, but I'd still be careful.

Here's areview: http://download.cnet.com/eSmart-Tax-Basic/3000-2047_4-75846633.html

CNET doesn't usually support anything scammy, but I don't like that they want so many things scanned, that doesn't make sense.

April 15 is a long ways off, I'd take a day or two and check things out.

Good Luck!

[arcane1]

15. Yeah, I don't think they are suspicious, they just suck.

I went back to square 1, the IRS site, and chose a different service. Knocked it out in less time than it took to make dinner

[kickysnana]

12. Last year people filed for 5 billion dollars in other peoples names....

per news last night. No chance of getting it back cause the IRS has no people or money to do it.

Well they do, but Obama has not really worried about anybody but Wall Street since he got in office so nothing changed in most cases.

[WillowTree]

13. Well, if you've already submitted your return, then you've already given them your SSN.

Be that as it may, I'd be way skeptical about that outfit. I'm not crazy about any of the online filing outfits. Just feels too risky to me. I pay a pittance for H&R Block software and do it all on my own machine, then, when it's all said and done and I have my refund and all, I store the refund on a flash drive off my machine entirely.

Just way too much info there not to be extra cautious. Or maybe it's all-out paranoia. Don't care. I'm a safety girl.

[arcane1]

16. What word that starts with "p" means "thinking everyone is out to get you"?

"perceptive"

[WillowTree]

18. LOL!! Thanks for the smile!

[arcane1]

14. **UPDATE** Fuck those people. I went to another linked site and got it all done for 12 bucks.

No hassle whatsoever

I did leave a rant on their Facebook page, however. How could I NOT???

Luckily, my phone is too stupid to take quality photographs

[NYC_SKP]

20. Please share a link to the better $12.00 service!

TIA

[arcane1]

21. Sure! Here is my post to their Facebook page, and their response:

Me:

My return would be done by now if you didn't keep asking me, without explanation, to take digital photographs of my personal ID and Social Security cards and email them to an anonymous address, only to receive no response other than "send another photo" 48 hours later.
How can I be certain those photographs are secure? Are you trying to file my taxes or steal my identity?
I was directed to this service via a link on IRS.gov, and I will be sharing this experience with them.
PS: I filed my returns within 15 minutes at freetaxusa.com, and it was only 12 bucks



Their reply:

Our process is intended to be the digital equivalent of showing an ID, just like you would have to if you were using a credit card to pay for a purchase at the grocery store. We will continue to find ways to make this process more convenient for you.

(name removed) thank you for writing in with your concerns. We ask for verification of your identity in order to prevent fraud. As you know, the IRS reported a rise in tax scams (for more information, view our article here https://www.esmarttax.com/.../post-holiday-fraud-alert.../). Your security, protecting you from identity theft, and the accuracy of your return are our highest prirorities.

[NYC_SKP]

22. Thanks, nice! freetaxusa.com is the service to check first!

Much appreciated!

[AtomicKitten]

23. Yes. I'm an independent contractor.

The companies are covering their butts tax-wise.