IRS boosts security measures for transcripts and CAF protection.

TLDR:

IRS has intensified safeguards for tax transcripts and the Centralized Authorization File (CAF) to prevent identity theft and fraud. Tax professionals now need to call the Practitioner Priority Service to access transcripts securely.

Key Elements:

• Tax professionals must call Practitioner Priority Service to request transcripts be deposited into their Secure Object Repository mailbox.
• IRS employees on other phone lines may not be authorized to provide transcripts through the SOR method.
• Fraudsters may use compromised CAF to steal transcripts and other taxpayer ID information.
• IRS places CAF numbers suspected of compromise into suspended status pending review.
• Beware of unsolicited scam emails asking for credential information like CAF number, EFIN, or driver’s license number.
• Tax professionals receiving such emails should report them to phishing@irs.gov.
• IRS working with tax professional community to protect sensitive information and minimize burden on practitioners.
• Information about these safeguards can be found in a special alert issued by the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility.

Tax professionals are facing increased ID-theft protections when accessing IRS tax transcripts and the Centralized Authorization File (CAF). As part of the new safeguard measures, tax professionals now need to call the Practitioner Priority Service to request that transcripts be deposited into their Secure Object Repository mailbox. This change aims to prevent fraudsters from stealing taxpayer information from compromised CAF numbers. The IRS will place suspected compromised CAF numbers into suspended status pending further review and will contact the owner to confirm any compromise.

In addition to these measures, tax professionals should be cautious of unsolicited scam emails that request sensitive credential information like CAF numbers, EFINs, or driver’s license numbers. The IRS warns against responding to these emails and advises tax professionals to report them to phishing@irs.gov. The agency is working closely with the tax professional community to protect sensitive information and ensure the safety and security of data involved in tax filings. For more details on these safeguards, tax professionals can refer to a special alert issued by the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility.