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 The decision comes as fraud prevention efforts from last year’s tax
season illustrate the positive impact that additional delays and
scrutiny have had in combating tax return fraud and identity theft.
IDOR is reminding taxpayers that filing tax returns electronically
and requesting direct deposit into a checking or savings account is
still the fastest way to receive a refund.
“Fraud prevention measures implemented by the Department of Revenue
during last year’s tax season resulted in an overall savings of
nearly $5 million that would have, otherwise, been paid,” said
Connie Beard, IDOR Director. “Our new security protocols proved very
beneficial in detecting and stopping fraudulently filed returns last
year, and we are continuing to enhance our fraud detection efforts
this year. By delaying tax refunds by just a few weeks, we’ll be
able to better detect attempts at identity theft and ensure taxpayer
refunds do not fall needlessly into the hands of criminals.”
For electronic returns filed prior to March 1, 2016, IDOR
anticipates refunds will be issued within two to three weeks from
the March 1, 2016 date. For electronic returns submitted error-free
on or after March 1, 2016, IDOR anticipates refunds will be issued
within two to three weeks from the date the return was submitted.
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Tax refunds are not subject to budgetary appropriation by the Illinois General
Assembly and are, therefore, not impacted by the current budget impasse.
For the most up-to-date information, forms, schedules, and instructions for the
2016 Illinois Income Tax Filing season, please visit IDOR’s website at:
tax.illinois.gov.
[Illinois Department of Revenue]
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