A way the IRS could stop the illegal scamming of tax refunds

There is a very simple way to stop much of the illegal scamming and hacking of IRS refunds. Simply require the employers and other businesses to get the W-2 and 1099 information to the IRS so they can get it on the computers before any of the returns can be processed.

It might delay the date that returns can be filed by two or three weeks, but it would be much better than them being delayed 180 days because they’re suspected of being a fraudulently filed tax return.

I’m sure there would be those that would complain that they can’t get the W-2 or 1099 information to IRS that fast, but most of the employers are on computers and most of them could do it.

Then there would be a crosscheck before refunds are sent out.

It would be worth the inconvenience to stop the growing number of thieves and hackers.

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 9:09 PM with the headline "A way the IRS could stop the illegal scamming of tax refunds."