April 15th is officially tax day, the dreaded day tax returns must be filed and payments made if owed. Unless you have obtained an extension, you should begin tax preparation now, to make the process less intimidating and to know your tax status as quickly as possible. Another reason it is important to keep an eye on the calendar for this date is to take steps to secure your online identity. Tax season seems to bring out the worst in some people, and with the availability of personal information on tax forms, it is imperative to exercise diligence to keep your W2 information safe. The IRS reports an increase in theft at this time of year, because hackers can use the data on a W2 or other tax forms to steal a person’s identity. Some things you can do to stay safe include checking your credit for unusual activity on a regular basis, and keeping all of your software up to date. And always remember that the IRS or other taxing agency will never call you for your information, if you get a phone call asking for personal data you should terminate the call. The only way to be certain the caller on the other end of the line is legitimate is when you initiate the call yourself, if you ever have concern please report suspicious calls and requests to the appropriate agency.
For more information, contact us online today www.hostylaw.com or by calling the office at (405) 235-4040.