VOLUME 12 – WINTER 2015

2015 Tax Filing Season Volume Greater than Previous Year, Reports Sigma Tax Pro

The early start to the 2015 tax season has seen an increase in electronically filed returns and direct deposit requests.

In contrast to last year’s delayed tax season beginning at the end of January, this years January 20th start has seen an increase in e-files and refunds over 2014 numbers. The IRS has received more than 14 million tax returns as of January 31st, and more than 13 million of those returns were filed electronically. This is a testament to the success and efficiency of the e-filing process. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen affirms their commitment to this process: “We encourage taxpayers to e-file their returns since it is the quickest, safest and most accurate way to file and the fastest way to get a refund.”

Tax professionals should also be aware of the increase in the use of the IRS’ direct deposit option for taxpayer refunds. To date the IRS has issued 7.6 million refunds worth $26.8 billion with the average refund worth $3,539 during the 2015 tax season. 7.3 million of these refunds worth $26.2 billion have been directly deposited to taxpayer accounts. It is clear that e-filing tax returns and receiving refunds via direct deposit is the way of the future for taxpayers and tax pros alike.

Sigma Tax Pro provides a full range of essential services for tax pros. This includes industry leading software solutions as well as technical support, tax preparation support and client retention strategies. Sigma Tax Pro specializes in helping tax preparation firms expand their businesses, open new offices and increase their client base. Sigma also offers its audit assistance product to protect tax pros and taxpayers in the event of an IRS audit.

Contact: Jody Dovich Sigma Tax Pro +1 561-450-6422

NEWS AND TIPS

Sigma Tax Pro Warns Tax Pros to Beware of IRS Phishing Scams

Despite the IRS’s efforts to thwart phishing scams, many tax preparers have received bogus emails soliciting information this tax season.

Many tax professionals are already aware of the threat posed by phishing scams but the IRS recently issued another warning about bogus emails asking to verify information. The email appears to be from the IRS e-services asking tax preparers to verify their information. The email is in fact from scammers trying to obtain usernames and passwords so they can access taxpayers information. The IRS makes it very clear on their website that they do not initiate contact via email and that any unsolicited emails should be reported to [email protected].

The phishing emails may request that tax preparers verify a variety of items including IRS e-services portal information and Electronic Filing Identification Numbers, or EFINs. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen stated the following in regards to the issue: “I urge taxpayers to be wary of clicking on strange emails and websites; they may be scams to steal your personal information.” The end of goal of such phishing scams is typically the identity theft related crimes that have plagued taxpayers and tax pros in recent times.

Sigma Tax Pro provides a full range of essential services for tax pros. This includes industry leading software solutions as well as technical support, tax preparation support and client retention strategies. Sigma Tax Pro specializes in helping tax preparation firms expand their businesses, open new offices and increase their client base. Sigma also offers its audit assistance product to protect tax pros and taxpayers in the event of an IRS audit.

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Call your Sigma Tax Pro Representative today! (866) 386-4769