IRS Has Reminders Regarding Tax Returns For Some

With tax season well underway, the Internal Revenue Service has a few reminders for those who have already filed.

IRS Spokesman Mark Green said that for those who have already filed, but are claiming one of two prominent tax credits, any refunds are not being released until later this week by the agency.

“This year, there is a new federal law for those individuals who are claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit for the Additional Child Tax Credit, your returns will be delayed until after February 15,” said Green. “Unfortunately, the delay of the refund will give us additional time to detect and identify any time of tax-related identity thefts or fraudulent returns that may come in.”

According to Green, he said Congress implemented this law because there were numerous past incidents of fraud regarding these credits.

Meanwhile, he said that the agency has already gotten calls from people who say a paid tax preparer who promised them an early refund, even if they claimed an Earned Income Tax Credit.

Green said that is simply not true.

“There is no such thing,” said Green. “We want to caution people that if you are going to choose a paid tax preparer, please make sure you choose very wisely. Be very cautious about who you give your personal information to.”

Green said that more and more people are filing taxes electronically with the IRS this year.

He says the agency expects 4.1 million returns in Georgia to be filed electronically out of an estimated total of 4.7 million returns that will be filed in the state.

This year’s tax deadline is April 18.

For more information on tax season or filing electronically, visit www.irs.gov.