anyone getting letters from ohio requiring you take a test to prove your identity in order to

[Romeo.lima333]

get your refund? i got one, went to the site and had to answer a few questions after that was done i was told by the website that if i filed jointly my spouse would also have to "pass" her identity test in order for the funds to be released. now why would that be unless they are hoping to keep the cash? if i "proved my id" why would my wife have to also prove it we filed jointly.is gov a-hole is turinging ohio into a grifter state?

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I don't live in Ohio, but this isn't a scam. It's the state trying to avoid fraud.

Anti-fraud measures to delay Ohio tax refunds

The state said the delay is over measures to prevent tax fraud.

Officials recently sent letters to residents to announce the state is implementing an additional up-front filter.

That means if your refund is deposited electronically, it could take up to 15 days to process. Paper returns could take up to 30 days to process.

http://www.newsnet5.com/money/anti-fraud-measures-to-delay-ohio-tax-refunds

[No Vested Interest]

2. Apparently scammers have actually been filing false tax returns with Ohio

in order to get refunds before the legitimate taxpayer.

I did read online in the last week or so of someone who found his identity had been stolen in order to get the legitimate refund. - CAn't recall if it was here on DU or on my facebook page.

I don't know what criteria the State of Ohio is using. I'm wondering if a return prepared by a registered tax preparer would not have to go through this hoop-jump.

Perhaps in this case it might just be better to "go along to get along" in order to get the refund processed.

The best answer is to not overpay state or federal taxes in the first place. - Keep the money without giving federal or state governments access to it.

[Romeo.lima333]

3. yea so they say and i didnt think much about it until i read that if i filed jointly ,which i did,

then BOTH of us have to pass the test to release the cash - if their story was a true one i would think that only one of us would have needed to pass this test. i wouldnt put it past kasick to make it harder to get any refund you are owed like they do with voting. make it harder to vote harder to get your refund ...etc ....

[Maeve]

4. Remember, TurboTax was hacked

And yes, the false returns are usually filed early, before most of us get around to it.

Last year, our e-file was rejected by the Fed and we were told by Ohio that some one had file using our id--both turned out to be false, glitches in the machine. We end up paying (both self-employed) so we're really not good targets for the scammers.

[Cheese Sandwich]

5. Yeah I think they are collecting more info on us more than just verifying identities.

[Romeo.lima333]

6. i had to verify my id and so did my wife we file jointly and live together

why would she also need to prove her id - that's what makes this all sound like bs