PTIN usage by others

[juanp]

Hi everybody,
Do you know how I can find out if somebody else has used my PTIN to file returns.
I worked in a tax place for a couple days and did not feel comfortable with the whole EIC situation so dediced to call it quits and did not file any returns. I would like to make sure that my PTIN was not used.

I contacted IRS about 5 times and the PTIN office and they kept transfering back and forth and at the end no answer.

First time posting, let me know if there was another thread about this, I did a search under PTIN and 7 pages poped up and I do not believe I saw this issue. Any tips on how to search relevant threads are appreciated, I do not like to start new threads that have same info than others.

Thank you

[JohnH]

Now that's a scary prospect. If it's a major concern for you, maybe you could ask IRS if they can issue you a new PTIN. Although if they ask you why you want it, you might be put in the position of potentially slandering or libeling someone in order to get what you want.

[Roberts]

Maybe I'm not understanding it but PTINs aren't secure or private. The IRS gives out your PTIN data to vendors. In fact under the Freedom of Information Act, you could probably get a list of every PTIN that's been used and the name associated with it.

JMO, I'd be more worried about someone using my EFIN but then they would have to have my EFIN personal identification number for it to be of any use to them.

[veritas]

We did discuss this

Hi everybody,
Do you know how I can find out if somebody else has used my PTIN to file returns.
I worked in a tax place for a couple days and did not feel comfortable with the whole EIC situation so dediced to call it quits and did not file any returns. I would like to make sure that my PTIN was not used.

I contacted IRS about 5 times and the PTIN office and they kept transfering back and forth and at the end no answer.

First time posting, let me know if there was another thread about this, I did a search under PTIN and 7 pages poped up and I do not believe I saw this issue. Any tips on how to search relevant threads are appreciated, I do not like to start new threads that have same info than others.

Thank you

previously search- "Self-select PIN and Underground Tax Preparers".

It's my thinking that this will become common once the bad guys catch on.

[Koss]

South loses to East

Reminds me of an anecdote about an expert bridge player, playing at a famous club, who watched, exasperated, as his less experienced partner royally screwed up the hand.

Adapting this story to a segment of our profession that is sometimes referred to as the EIC mills, the conversation might go something like this:

Inexperienced tax pro who has just been bamboozled by a client who is claiming EIC for the second cousin of his girlfriend's sister-in-law: "How should I have prepared that return?"

Experienced, jaded tax pro: "Under an assumed name."



BMK

[JohnH]

I havent filed any tax returns that way, but I have played some bridge hands that in retrospect I wish I could have played under an assumed name.

[taxea]

Now that's a scary prospect. If it's a major concern for you, maybe you could ask IRS if they can issue you a new PTIN. Although if they ask you why you want it, you might be put in the position of potentially slandering or libeling someone in order to get what you want.

Not if you explain why you are concerned. The may even be able to check to see whether the PTIN was used on more than the number of returns you filed while there or if it was used on dates after you left. I would also explain the concerns about what made you leave.

Call the office of Professional Responsibility...sorry but my email program has decided to take a vacation so I can't give you the number but you can look it up on the IRS site.

For the PTIN call the office of Compliance and Responsibility