ODT Identity Confirmation Quiz
Feb 26, 2015
With income tax fraud and identity theft on the rise, the Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) has implemented a new initiative to increase security measures. Ohio’s Identity Confirmation Quiz is just one of the tools the ODT is using to prevent fraudsters from receiving a refund as a result of identity theft.
Taxpayers who have filed their tax returns are selected at random to receive an identity confirmation letter instructing them to complete the quiz within 60 days. The quiz can be taken online at the Ohio Department of Taxation’s website. If selected to take the quiz, you will need the reference number from your Identity Confirmation letter, your social security number (SSN) and the amount of refund claimed on your tax return.
The quiz consists of multiple-choice questions very specific to the individual taxpayer. According to the ODT, the information used to populate the personal quiz comes from many public and commercial data sources and consists of current and historical information about the identified individual. In addition, the quiz is timed, allowing only a few minutes to be completed.
Once the quiz is complete, the taxpayer will know immediately whether or not they passed or failed.
- If a taxpayer passed, processing of the tax return continues.
- If a taxpayer fails, they may have the opportunity to take a second quiz. If passed the second time, processing of the tax return continues.
- If a taxpayer fails twice, they must mail documentation to the ODT proving their identity. Please click here for further instructions.
Please note the selection for this Identity Confirmation Quiz is a random process and should not concern a taxpayer if they receive it. This is unrelated to the size of the refund or with the taxpayer being audited. For additional information or answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the ODT’s Identity Confirmation Quiz page.
By: Jenny Furey, CPA
Categories: Uncategorized