IRS says National Tax Security Awareness Week tips can help you avoid identity theft.
Tax professionals across the country are preparing for next filing season by training seasonal staff, reviewing software updates, and earning CPE. While those annual rituals are required for success in January, the Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners use their annual National Tax Security Awareness Week event to stress that data security is an equally important part of pre-season planning.
Since 2016, National Tax Security Awareness Week has been used to highlight data security best practices. This year, the IRS says the event will be held from November 30 to December 4, and it will include tips for avoiding identity theft tax refund fraud. IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig provided two reasons for the slight shift in focus:
- More Americans are using telework to avoid exposure to COVID-19.
- The agency anticipates a holiday spike in COVID-related phishing scams.
Traditionally focusing on a different security topic on each day of the event, the IRS press release included the following preview for this year’s National Tax Security Awareness Week:
- Day 1: Cyber Monday: Protect personal and financial information online
- Day 2: Use multi-factor authentication
- Day 3: Get an Identity Protection PIN
- Day 4: Businesses at risk for identity theft
- Day 5: Tax professionals should review their safeguards
While the first three days will focus on specific actions that individuals can take to protect their data, the end of the week covers business- and tax professional-specific recommendations.
In addition to press releases, the IRS says National Tax Security Awareness Week educational materials will also be published on social media: “The effort will include special informational graphics and a social media effort on Twitter and Instagram with @IRSnews and #TaxSecurity.” Those who prefer YouTube can check out “Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone” and “Avoid Phishing Emails” on the IRSvideos channel.
Don’t forget to check Taxing Subjects on each day of the event, starting Monday, November 30.
Source: IR-2020-259
Patricia Parrilla Tax Services