Idaho Tax Commission

The state tax deadline was extended this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic. But now the new tax day is upon us.

New tax codes are in place and Idaho Matters talks with Renee Eymann and Cynthia Adrian of the Idaho Tax Commission about what you need to know to file this year.

The Idaho Tax Commission is sending letters to taxpayers asking many of them to prove who they really are. It’s not a scam — it’s an attempt to stop fraud.

Some State of Idaho employees will soon be going to work in a new location on Boise’s west side.

Late last year, the State of Idaho bought the 40-year-old Hewlett Packard company complex adjacent to Chinden Blvd. for $110 million.  Back in the day, the 200-acre site with parking for more than 5,000 vehicles and 1.5 million square feet of office space was the center for HP’s 7,000 high tech employees.  

If you’re renting out a room in your house or a camping spot in your backyard, you have to pay taxes on that.

If you’re e-filing your taxes as next week’s deadline looms, and your return is rejected, you may be the victim of identity theft. The Idaho Tax Commission has already seen cases of fraudulent returns.

Since January, the Idaho Tax Commission has prevented the theft of close to $300,000 in Idaho refunds that were targeted by criminals.

Tawnya Eldredge is the Commission’s identity theft assistance coordinator.

Tuesday, April 18 is tax day. In Idaho, residents will file both state and federal income taxes. The Gem State has had this kind of tax since 1931.

But if you were hoping for some income tax relief on the state level you’ll have to wait at least another year.

If you’ve filed your state tax return, the Tax Commission says it may need more information before they can send you a refund. That’s due in part to concerns over identity theft and fraud.

The Idaho State Tax Commission says it checks all tax returns for fraud and accuracy. For some, that means getting a letter from the Commission asking you to prove you’re you.

Last year, the state says number of fake Idaho income tax returns increased by 64 percent over the previous year. And officials with the state tax commission says they’ve already received fraudulent returns this year.

Some taxpayers may have already received verification letters in the mail. There are two types of letters – and the tax commission asks that people reply as soon as possible. If you don’t prove your identity, your tax refund will not be sent.