Category: Identity Theft

Turbotax Max Benefits

MAX is an optional add-on package for paid versions of TurboTax Online that offers a variety of benefits and personalized assistance after you file your taxes. Turbotax MAX benefits include Live Review, where a certified tax expert reviews your return and answers your questions about it or anything else related to taxes. You can also get detailed guidance from our CPA on how to maximize your tax savings with personalized advice based on your unique situation.

Turbotax Max Benefits
Turbotax Max Benefits

Audit Protection

Protect yourself from potential audits by the IRS. During tax time, TurboTax provides you with a dedicated expert who will represent you and communicate with the IRS on your behalf. With audit representation included with TurboTax, you can rest easy knowing your taxes are in good hands.

Identity Proof

Protect your identity and get help fast if it’s ever stolen with the maximum benefits of full identity restoration. If you or your taxes are ever the victim of identity fraud, we’re here to help. Max Identity Protection covers both the primary and secondary filer, their spouses and dependents in addition to other tax-related services like live tax advice from our experts.

Identity Monitor

With TurboTax Max’s Identity Theft Monitoring, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that if suspicious activity involving your personal identity is detected online, you’ll be notified right away, and a Dedicated Restoration Specialist will be able to assist you in responding quickly to protect your identity. Monitoring covers both the primary and secondary filer (if filing jointly).

Now you can receive alerts to help protect your identity and safeguard your file. If suspicious activity related to your personal identity is detected online, you’ll be notified promptly and a Dedicated Restoration Specialist can help you quickly react to restore your identity.

Theft Insurance

Identity theft is one of the country’s fastest-growing crimes. Protect yourself and your family from it with our Identity Theft Insurance, which reimburses you for stolen funds and pays for legal fees and expenses caused by identity theft. Both the primary and secondary filer are covered if you file jointly.

TurboTax Max Protection keeps you covered with identity theft insurance and gives you peace of mind while you file your taxes. You’re covered if someone steals your identity and files fraudulent tax returns or uses your personal information to commit other financial crimes. You can recover stolen funds and pay for legal fees and expenses.

TurboTax MAX Top Care

Priority Care is an exclusive benefit for customers who file a federal return through the TurboTax desktop product. If you need help with your taxes, TurboTax will connect you to a TurboTax product specialist by phone or video chat. They will draw on your screen to explain how to handle issues that come up while you’re filing.

2022 Step by Step EASY TurboTax Tutorial: How To File Your Own Taxes This Year!

Watch Out For IRS Tax Scams

There have been reported incidents of swindlers using an IRS pitch as a IRS Tax scam. One such incident happened to Brett. He panicked after hearing a phone message that the IRS was about to investigate him. Brett is a 43 year old contractor from the County of Morrow. He wondered whether he had missed anything in regards to his Free Turbo Tax application. So he decided to make a call back and then his worry turned to anger. There are lots of scammers out there especially as the Tax period gets near. More about IRS Tax Scams:

IRS Tax Scams

At this time of the year, thieves and con artists fine tune their tricks and up their game in order to swindle individuals, often threatening them with jail terms and deportation. The IRS has now issued an alert to the public, warning of the phone scam and other scams people are likely to be exposed to at this time of making their tax returns. Turbo Tax should help people allay their fears in regards to their 2016 taxes.

IRS Tax Scams
Photo by Judith E. Bell 

The Ohio State Attorney General has been fielding questions and complaints from local residents, especially those from the counties of Morrow, Fairfield and Franklin. It is expected that con artists will pull scams pretending to be from the government as this helps their scams seem more legitimate.

Nevada Consistently Ranks at the Top for Quality of Life

Nevada ranks high on many lists of top places to live and work.  Reno especially has worked hard improving quality of life for residents.  The past 20 years have been spent revamping the area around Truckee River, located near the new AAA baseball stadium.  Parks and a performing arts center have been added and many large firms have set up locations in Reno drawing in a younger more educated population to stay.

Housing prices in Reno have dropped about 52% in the last 4 years making it an ideal place to relocate to.  North-western Nevada boasts some of the best whitewater in the country.

Recently Reno was named on of the “2010 Smarter Cities” for their investment in green power, energy efficiency measures and conservation by the Natural Resources Defense Council’s online resource center.  The cities were judged on ten criteria:

  • Electricity consumption (kWh) per capita:
  • EPA Defined Green Power:
  • Distributed Generation Policies:
  • State Legislated Energy Reduction:
  • Greenhouse Gas Inventory:
  • City-Level Targets and Policies for Reduced Energy Consumption:
  • Conservation Incentives:
  • Energy services
  • Tracking progress
  • Innovation

Reno is close to every season of outdoor adventure.  The area includes the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe.  Reno isn’t just about casinos and gambling anymore.  It has become more family friendly in recent years with more activity options besides the gaming industry.

Another reason Reno is at the top of the list for quality of life is the ability to start your own business.  Nevada ranks among the best states to incorporate a business in.  Even during these rough economic times small businesses are opening up at a high rate.  Because Nevada is a business friendly state the economic outlook is ranked high in the nation.  There are many advantages and benefits to incorporate in the state of Nevada.

By: Shannon John

Marketing Manger, Laughlin Associates, Inc.

5 IRS Identity Theft Tips

5 IRS Identity Theft Tips

There are a number of organizations with helpful resources if your identity has been stolen this tax season or you feel that your identity might be misused. And do you know what kinds of emails to expect from the IRS so you know that the communication is legitimate?

  1. The IRS has a special office called the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit which can assist you if you feel your identity might be misused due to the loss of personal information. Contact them at 1-800-908-4490.

  2. The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers through email. Therefore all

… Read more at 2009 Taxes

5 IRS Identity Theft Tips

There are a number of organizations with helpful resources if your identity has been stolen this tax season or you feel that your identity might be misused. And do you know what kinds of emails to expect from the IRS so you know that the communication is legitimate?

  1. The IRS has a special office called the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit which can assist you if you feel your identity might be misused due to the loss of personal information. Contact them at 1-800-908-4490.

  2. The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers through email. Therefore all email appearing to originate from the IRS are fraudulent unless in response to an inquiring that you began.

  3. Visit IRS.gov for reporting scams and for reporting bogus  IRS web sites.

  4. The Federal Trade Commission has similar identity theft resources and can be reached at 1-877-ID-THEFT.

  5. OnGuardOnline.gov is another resource for online protections from the federal government and the technology industry.