IRS: Online Taxpayers Getting Hijacked

[bemildred]

Source: ABC

April 15, 2007 — Just before the deadline for personal income tax filings, the Internal Revenue Service is warning consumers of a scam that targets the majority of American taxpayers who file online.

The scheme is so new, the government has no idea how many taxpayers have been bilked. The scam takes advantage of the federal "Free File" program, in which the IRS partners with software makers to allow taxpayers who earn up to $52,000 in taxable income to file electronically for free.

It works like this: Internet grifters send e-mails, luring taxpayers to Web pages that look like IRS-approved sites where they can file their taxes electronically.

"It's very easy for someone to set up a scam site," said Internet analyst Omar Wasow, "the sort of thing a teenager could do with a little bit of Web experience."

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Taxguide/story?id=3043966&page=1

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This is why I still file paper. I looked at some of the free-file places and my first reaction was "Who are these guys that I should trust them?" If the government wants you to file electronically, they need to make it absolutely free, and absolutely secure.

[left is right]

1. Indiana allows you to file state taxes for free

the software is secure but not real user friendly. It gives error messages that aren't always easy to figure out/correct. it takes about 30 minutes to do even the simplest form online but ut is free

[musette_sf]

2. not on your life would i file electronically

riiiiiight, i'm gonna send all my income, and SS info, and bank info, via the internets????

to a government agency????

and since i don't fall into that income bracket for the free e-filing, the stamp costs far less than the e-filing fee. "for your convenience" my ass.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. I've used TurboTax for years, there's nothing wrong with it, and it's safe

the problem is the bad links in the spam e-mail.

[NYC]

4. Turbo Tax had a problem recently.

If I find the article, I'll come back. It was within the last two weeks.

When you typed in your own last name, you got the info on all other people with your last name. That wasn't every Turbo Tax site.

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/04/nebraska_woman_.html

http://www.wsls.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSLS%2FMGArticle%2FSLS_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350654229&path=!features!notonthemenu

http://www.woai.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=7f52f9b4-f711-4c18-8551-4b109b16566f

There's more. Look at Google news for Turbo Tax.

[freeplessinseattle]

11. but is it free?? n/t

[Miss Chybil]

5. I love Turbotax! nt

[RebelOne]

8. I agree. This is my third year using TurboTax

and I have never had any problem.

[lligrd]

6. Good Thing I Haven't Filed Yet

And since I owe, it will be going snail mail anyway.

[Critters2]

7. Same here.

I pay quarterly, and invariably underestimate. So I always owe. I'd rather keep that money in my account as long as possible. So, the snails take my return to Uncle Sam.

[trof]

9. I do taxes online. Print and file paper return.

I've used TaxAct for the last 4 years.
Cheap and good.
Fed return is free if you don't e-file. Around $15 for state.

A few years ago I e-filed. Everything seemed to go through OK.
3-4 months later I get letter from IRS about why did I not file a return?

Now I always paper file.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

12. I use Tax Act On Line too

It was recommended to my by a tax practioner several years ago and I have used it ever since. It is cheap ($16.95 to file Fed and CT) and easy to use. If you efile you have to make sure that you get a confirming email that your return has been rec'd by the IRS and the State. Which reminds me - I'd better check on that since I efiled yesterday

[mikelgb]

10. i used Free File the last two years

but I went to IRS.gov and used theird links to one of the free tax preparers online. I chose freetaxusa.com I think. It was a very easy, quick and affordable. It is free to file Federal and less than $20 to file State too.

[denverbill]

13. Why the hell doesn't the IRS create a free web site for us to use?

This is such a scam. It's ridiculous to have to pay a third party to file your taxes online.

[bemildred]

14. Ed Zachery. nt

[SayWhatYo]

15. That's why everyone should update to Windows Vista(even mac and linux users)

Anti-phising is built in..

hehehe, just playing.