The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the US and its Security Summit partners have introduced a new structure for their public‑private collaboration to strengthen protection for taxpayers and tax revenues against identity theft and related fraud.
The Security Summit brings together the IRS, state tax agencies, tax software providers, tax professionals and other stakeholders to address tax‑related identity theft through joint action.
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According to the IRS, since its establishment, the Security Summit’s work has helped protect “millions of taxpayers” from identity theft and has stopped “billions of dollars” in improper payments to fraudsters.
Authorities note that as core systems have become more secure, criminals are increasingly targeting underlying tax and financial data from individuals, businesses and practitioners to file returns that appear legitimate.
IRS CEO Frank J. Bisignano said: “The ongoing collaboration between the IRS and its Security Summit partners demonstrates the value of bringing private sector expertise and awareness to help improve how government works.
“For more than ten years, both parties have benefitted from this arrangement and will continue to do so into the future.”
The updated framework places added focus on payroll providers, whose wage and withholding information has become a priority target for cybercriminals.
Five new work groups have been formed to improve early detection of suspicious activity, strengthen data protection measures and limit the misuse of compromised information.
IRS Return Integrity & Compliance Services director Jim Clifford said: “Identity thieves continue to evolve, and so must we.
“By aligning our work across every stage of the tax life cycle and strengthening collaboration with partners, including the payroll industry, we are better positioned to stop fraud earlier and protect taxpayers and the nation’s revenue.”
The Security Summit also continues to use the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats, which focuses on rapid assessment and response to emerging, time‑sensitive risks.
