ID Theft/Tax Fraud 

Preventing Tax Fraud

File Early
Filing early not only offers protection against refund fraud by closing the window of opportunity for a fraudster, but also ensures the shortest turnaround time for return processing and refund issuance.

North Dakota Driver License or State ID for E-filing
This filing season North Dakota, along with many state tax departments, is requesting additional information for electronically filed tax returns. This is an additional effort to combat stolen-identity tax fraud and protect you and your tax refund.

We ask that you provide the requested North Dakota driver license or state-issued identification card information when completing your tax return. Providing this information is voluntary. We will not reject your return if you do not provide the requested driver license or state-issued identification information. However, providing this information may help us to process your tax return more quickly.

Preventative Measures
Our office has put additional preventative measures in place to catch fraudulent filings. This may delay refunds. Please remain patient and use our Where's My Refund? tool to check on the status of your refund. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been working with the state tax departments to combat ID theft and tax fraud. Watch a short video on how to help keep yourself protected or click here to read more.

Have You Been a Victim of ID Theft?

If our office has reason to believe that you've been a victim of identity theft through a fraudulent tax return, we will contact you with a letter and recommended actions. You are encouraged to contact the following entities to report the theft of your identity:

• IRS at the Identity Protection Specialized Unit: 800.908.4490 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fill out the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039. You may also check out the IRS's Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft.
• Your Local Law Enforcement Office
• Federal Trade Commission: 877.438.4338. The FTC website contains extensive information on detection and prevention of identity theft, and what to do next.
• Social Security Administration: 800.772.1213 or visit their Identity Theft Info from the Inspector General.

We also suggest you contact the three credit bureaus; Equifax, Experian and Transunion, and your bank(s) to notify them that your personal information may have been stolen.

• Equifax: Call 800.525.6285 or visit www.equifax.com 
• Experian: Call 888.397.3742 or visit www.experian.com 
• Transunion: Call 800.680.7289 or visit www.transunion.com

If you know that you have been a victim of identity theft and you have already contacted the above agencies, fill out our Identity Theft Declaration and email it to taxidtheft@nd.gov or mail it to the address below.

After the IRS' affidavit is complete, please provide a copy of the affidavit to our office by mail or fax:

Taxpayer Services
Office of State Tax Commissioner
600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 127
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0599

Fax: 701.328.0331

Tax Scams & Data Breaches

Businesses, if you discover that your business has had a data breach go to the Tax Scams & Data Breaches page for information.