Sullivan helps launch effort to protect personal tax data from thieves

PROVIDENCE – R.I. Tax Administrator David M. Sullivan has joined a national effort to encourage citizens to safeguard their personal and financial information online and at home.

The campaign – “Taxes. Security. Together.” – is intended to raise the public’s awareness that even routine actions in the Internet and personal communications devices can affect the safety of financial and tax data.

It was launched on Nov. 19 by federal and state officials and tax industry representatives, and will complement protections that the Internal Revenue Service, the states and the tax industry are putting in place for the beginning of the 2016 filing season to address tax-related identity theft.

“The governments and industry are taking new steps to protect taxpayers,” said Sullivan, also acting director of the Department of Revenue and the past president of the Federation of Tax Administrators.

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“To build on this even further, we are joining forces to share important information across our websites – whether it’s at the state level, in the tax industry, or at the IRS. This is an unprecedented collaborative effort for tax administration,” Sullivan said.

IRS Commissioner John Koskin said identity thieves are evolving, and government has to respond.

“Everyone has a part to play,” Koskin said. “The IRS, the states and the tax industry are putting in place even tougher safeguards for 2016. But, we need the public’s help. We need people to join with us and take an active role in protecting their personal and financial data from thieves.”

The campaign will continue through the April tax deadline.

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