Tax Year 2018 Identity Verification Letters are being sent out. If you or a client receive an Identity or Address Verification Letter, respond ASAP to avoid a refund delay.
Identity Verification Letters are one of the measures we’ve implemented to help prevent identity theft, reduce tax fraud, and protect refunds.
Our system flags returns with factors indicating the possibility of identity fraud. When this happens, we require the taxpayer to prove their identity before we process the refund.
The letter, which includes a tax verification code, asks the taxpayer to go to TransAction Portal (TAP), click on “Verify Return,” and respond to a few questions so that we can verify that the taxpayer or their preparer filed the return.
It is important to fully understand the questions before responding.
For example, if a taxpayer responds “no” in error when asked “Did you file a Montana tax return or authorize someone to file your Montana tax return for the tax year listed on the letter you received?”, it will result in the tax return being rejected.
We strongly encourage taxpayers to complete the verification process online; but, if a taxpayer does not have internet access, they may respond by mail.
Mailing instructions are included on the back of the letter.
For more information about this process, visit identity verification letters.