HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC) - The income tax filing deadline is less than three weeks away, and state officials are urging taxpayers to remain vigilant against scammers and identity thieves.
According to Revenue Services Commissioner Scott Jackson, neither state nor federal tax officials will email or call you demanding personal information or payment on the spot. Jackson stresses the importance of protecting your information, and adds that if something seems suspicious, it's best to assume it's a scam.
State Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Segal also stresses the importance of knowing who is preparing your taxes, saying if you hire someone who doesn't file correctly, it can cause problems down the road.
New this year is a state law requiring paid tax preparers in Connecticut to register for a permit from the Department of Revenue Services.
"We need to know who these folks are, because while most of them are great preparers and great citizens and great participants in our community, some of them are trying to steal your information and we need to know who they are," said Jackson.
Nearly 1,700 paid tax pros have registered with the state thus far.
The tax filing deadline is April 15th.