What Taxpayers Should Expect During Filing Season

Identity theft and refund fraud continue to grow each year, and the IRS is responding with a series of new security safeguards designed to stop criminals before refunds are issued. These changes are meant to protect taxpayers, but they also add new verification steps that can slow down filing, request more information, or delay refunds when something looks suspicious.

Understanding these safeguards ahead of time helps you prepare for filing season and avoid unnecessary delays.

Why the IRS Is Increasing Security Measures

Each year, the IRS tracks billions of dollars in attempted refund fraud linked to:

• stolen Social Security numbers
• fake wages
• identity theft
• unauthorized e-file attempts
• compromised tax preparer accounts
• fraudulent dependent claims

Cybercriminals are also increasingly targeting tax preparers and stolen online accounts. New IRS rules aim to verify identities sooner and prevent fraudulent refunds from being issued in the first place.

Expect More Identity Verification

These safeguards mean more taxpayers may be asked to:

• verify identity online
• confirm previous addresses
• answer knowledge-based questions
• authenticate through IRS Online Account
• submit ID documents if flagged

Even if your return is legitimate, the IRS may require additional verification before processing the refund.

Stronger Authentication on IRS Services

The IRS continues to expand secure access through:

• IRS Online Account identity verification
• multifactor authentication
• device recognition
• enhanced login monitoring

These layers make it more difficult for criminals to access your tax data or hijack your refund.

Tax Preparers Must Follow Federal Security Standards

The IRS now requires professional tax preparers to comply with specific data security rules. Preparers must:

• create written cybersecurity plans
• secure stored taxpayer data
• use multifactor authentication
• report data breaches
• meet annual security standards

This helps reduce refund fraud stemming from compromised preparer systems and stolen filing data.

Increased Review of Refundable Credits

IRS fraud filters now closely examine returns involving:

• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Additional Child Tax Credit
• AOC education credits
• fraudulent dependent claims
• suspicious wage reporting

In some situations, returns claiming certain credits may face additional review before a refund is issued.

Your Refund Could Be Delayed if Something Looks Unusual

Security safeguards mean certain situations may cause processing delays, including:

• inconsistent income history
• mismatched dependent information
• address or bank changes
• suspicious e-file behavior
• unable to verify identity

A delay does not automatically mean something is wrong, but it does mean additional screening is taking place.

IRS Online Tools Will Play a Larger Role

More taxpayer services now require identity-verified access. Expect the IRS to continue pushing Online Account as the main gateway for:

• verifying refunds
• viewing transcripts
• checking balances
• receiving notices
• responding to IRS alerts

Future IRS modernization plans rely heavily on secure online platforms rather than phone support.

How to Prepare Before Filing

Taxpayers should:

• create an IRS Online Account early
• enable multifactor authentication
• keep dependent documents ready
• avoid mismatched information
• ensure bank details are accurate

Doing these steps early reduces the chance of security holds or refund delays.

New IRS security safeguards are designed to protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud. While these measures add extra verification and may slow down some refund processing, they strengthen the security of the tax system and reduce fraudulent filings. Being prepared for additional identity checks helps minimize delays and ensures your refund is processed securely.