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Fraud Checks Will Delay Montana Tax Returns

Montana Deparment of Revenue encourages taxpayers to file electronically this year for the fastest possible refund.

As of Tuesday, it's tax season. And this year, it may take a little longer than in the past for taxpayers to get their refunds.

Montana Department of Revenue’s Molly Petersen explains that "this year because of how much more checking we’re doing for identity theft and fraudulent returns, it's taking us longer to issue refunds.”

Petersen says filing taxes sooner, rather than later is a good way to protect against identity theft.

“And the advantage to doing it as soon as you have your tax documents together rather than waiting a few months is that if you file your income tax return, then an identity thief will not file for you. Something that we have run into since last tax season is a nationwide increase in identity theft” Peterson said. 

Petersen says tax forms filled out on paper are just as secure as the online forms, but they may take longer to process. She encourages taxpayers to file electronically this year for the fastest possible refund.

You can access theDepartment of Revenue's online tax filing system here.

Corin Cates-Carney manages MTPR’s daily and long-term news projects. After spending more than five years living and reporting across Western and Central Montana, he became news director in early 2020.
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