One of our clients received a notice from the New Jersey Division of Taxation asking for additional documentation for a previously filed tax return (copies of W-2s, 1099s, and the federal tax return). New Jersey gave two options for responding:
- Email to [omitted]@treas.nj.gov
- By mail
Is New Jersey aware of the risks of identity theft by emailing documents? Is the Division of Taxation aware of their own guidance on this? Under the section on “How to Prevent Identity Theft and Protect Your tax Refund” the NJ Division of Taxation helpfully notes:
Do not provide personal information through e-mail, text messaging, or social media.
Yet the Division of Taxation asked someone to email personal information. I realize that the letter my client received is a form letter, and it’s the New Jersey Division of Taxation’s policy that’s the issue (not the specific representative my client is dealing with). The New Jersey Division of Taxation needs to both remove the option of emailing in response to notices and add a secure website upload for responding to notices.
If a tax agency asks you to email personally confidential information, just say no. Go to the Post Office and send the response by certified mail.