Jan. 29, 2018
Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167
Early Filers Prevent Cybercriminals from
Stealing Refunds
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s
individual income tax filing season officially begins today, according to the
Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury).
Effective immediately,
Michiganders can start filing their 2017 tax year state individual income tax
returns online or through the U.S. Postal Service. All individual income tax returns must
be e-filed or postmarked by Tuesday, April 17, 2018.
“The easiest and
quickest way for Michigan taxpayers to get their refund is to file electronically,”
said Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, head of Treasury’s Tax Administration
Group. “This helps ensure tax returns are accurate and improves tax refund
turnaround times.”
Choosing electronic
filing and direct deposit is convenient, safe and secure. Last year, more than 4.1
million Michigan taxpayers e-filed, which is nearly 83 percent of state income tax
filers.
After Feb. 5, limited
quantities of printed tax forms will be available at public libraries, northern
Michigan post offices, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services county offices
and Treasury Field Offices.
For the benefit and
convenience of taxpayers, both the beginning and end of the individual income
tax filing season are the same as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Tax-Related Identity Theft Protections
In an effort to protect Michigan taxpayers, the state Treasury
Department continues to implement security measures to stop tax-related
identity theft. As a result, some individual income tax returns may be selected
for identity confirmation.
If an individual
income tax return has been selected for identity confirmation, the taxpayer
will receive a letter from Treasury asking them to confirm their identity by
completing a short online quiz or submitting paperwork. A phone option is available for those with functional needs or are not
computer savvy.
After a taxpayer confirms his or her identity, their tax refund will be issued in about a month.
“Don’t wait to file
your tax return,” White said. “By filing early, taxpayers can prevent cybercriminals
from stealing their refunds.”
Taxpayers who have
been recent victims of identity theft are asked to report
their circumstances to the state Treasury Department.
Reporting identity theft helps thwart cybercriminals who attempt to file
returns and steal state tax refunds.
In 2017, increased
security measures protected more than 4,000 taxpayers who confirmed their
identity was stolen and used to request state of Michigan refunds. This
prevented more than $16 million from being distributed to scammers.
To learn more about
identity theft, go to www.michigan.gov/identitytheft.
Free Tax Help
Seniors and
individuals with functional needs may qualify for free tax preparation help
from IRS-trained volunteers or Tax Counseling for the Elderly preparers. For
information about free tax help, go to www.michiganfreetaxhelp.org
or dial 2-1-1.
To learn more about
Michigan’s individual income tax or to download forms, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax.
For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org.
# # # #
| 
