Tax Tip 2019-122:Tax preparers can follow these simple steps to protect client data

Bookmark and Share

 

IRS.gov Banner
IRS Tax Tips September 5, 2019

Useful Links:

IRS.gov

Help For Hurricane Victims


News Essentials

What's Hot

News Releases

IRS - The Basics

IRS Guidance

Media Contacts

Facts & Figures

Around The Nation

e-News Subscriptions


The Newsroom Topics

Multimedia Center

Noticias en Español

Radio PSAs

Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts

The Tax Gap

Fact Sheets

IRS Tax Tips

Armed Forces

Latest News


IRS Resources

Compliance & Enforcement News

Contact Your Local IRS Office

Filing Your Taxes

Forms & Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Taxpayer Advocate Service

Where to File

IRS Social Media

 


Issue Number: Tax Tip 2019-122


Tax preparers can follow these simple steps to protect client data

Tax professionals and their employees can take steps to help prevent thieves from stealing sensitive data. Cybercriminals use phishing emails and malware to gain control of computer systems or to steal usernames and passwords.

Here are some simple steps that tax pros and their employees can take to protect their clients’ data. They should: 

  • Use separate personal and business email accounts.
  • Protect email accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication if available.
  • Install an anti-phishing tool bar to help identify known phishing sites.
  • Use anti-phishing tools that are included in security software products.
  • Use security software to help protect systems from malware and scan emails for viruses.
  • Never open or download attachments from unknown senders, including potential clients. They should instead make contact first by phone.
  • Send only password-protected and encrypted documents when files must be shared with clients over email.
  • Not respond to suspicious or unknown emails.
  • Forward scams that are related to the IRS to phishing@irs.gov.

All tax professionals should remember they must have a written data security plan. This is required by the Federal Trade Commission and its Safeguards Rule.

More information:
Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data
Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Publication 5293, Data Security Resource Guide for Tax Professionals

Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: Tax preparers can follow these simple steps to protect client data. https://go.usa.gov/xVWtg

Back to Top

FaceBook Logo  YouTube Logo  Instagram Logo  Twitter Logo  LinkedIn Logo


Thank you for subscribing to IRS Tax Tips, an IRS e-mail service. For more information on federal taxes please visit IRS.gov.

This message was distributed automatically from the IRS Tax Tips mailing list. Please Do Not Reply To This Message.