Committee Approves Ayotte Bill to Help Victims of Tax Identity Theft

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte announced today that the Senate Finance Committee has approved the Bill to Prevent Identity Theft and Tax Refund Fraud, a bipartisan bill she introduced with Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) to require the IRS to notify potential victims of identity theft. Ayotte helped introduce the bill in response to increasing incidences of tax-related identity theft she learned about from New Hampshire residents.

The Bill to Prevent Identity Theft and Tax Refund Fraud would require the IRS to notify an individual if the agency has reason to believe the individual's Social Security number has been fraudulently used. The bill would also create a criminal penalty for misappropriating a taxpayer's identity in connection with tax fraud.

"I have heard from families across New Hampshire who have become victims of tax-related identity theft, and the IRS can and must do better when it comes to protecting and notifying victims of tax-related identity theft," said Senator Ayotte. "Our legislation will help ensure that identity theft victims in New Hampshire and across the country are properly notified, provide additional tools to combat tax fraud, and establish stricter penalties for tax-related identity theft."

This legislation is a part of Senator Ayotte's continued efforts to affect change at the IRS on behalf of New Hampshire taxpayers. Last year, Ayotte successfully pushed the IRS to reverse its policy and allow victims of tax-related identity theft to obtain copies of fraudulent tax returns and brought the IRS Commissioner to New Hampshire to hear directly from identity theft victims. Ayotte has also pushed repeatedly for the IRS to improve customer service to ensure that New Hampshire residents have the necessary forms and instruction booklets to complete their tax returns.

Senator Ayotte also introduced legislation to ensure that taxpayers in New Hampshire and across the nation are fully informed of their rights before the IRS. This bill also includes provisions that make it clear taxpayers cannot be targeted for their political beliefs and that the IRS must ensure taxpayers have access to tax forms. A similar bill passed out of the House of Representatives.

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