Tax refund identity theft continues to be one of the fastest-growing threats facing taxpayers and professionals. This course provides a practical roadmap for identifying, reporting, and mitigating tax refund identity fraud.
You’ll learn how criminals perpetrate these schemes, how to assist clients who become victims, and what steps to take to protect your firm and your clients. We’ll cover reporting requirements, insurance claim processes, and provide templates and forms to streamline your response. Join us to gain actionable strategies and safeguard your clients against this costly and disruptive crime.
Per the IRS Education Provider Standards this course must be COMPLETED by 12/31/2028 to receive credits. NOTE: Go to My Professional Profile in your CCH CPELink account settings to ensure your name, and PTIN number; matches your PTIN cardPublication Date: February 2026
Designed For
This course would be appropriate for CPAs, CFEs, CFOs, CEOs, employees, staff accountants and anyone who is worried about becoming a victim of identity theft.
Topics Covered
- Forensic Accounting
- Tax Fraud
- Identity Theft
- Tax Return Identity Fraud
Learning Objectives
- Define tax refund identity fraud and its key characteristics
- Explain common methods criminals use to commit tax refund identity fraud
- Report instances of tax refund identity fraud to the appropriate authorities
- Assist clients in recovering from identity theft, including filing insurance claims
- Implement best practices to reduce the risk of tax refund identity fraud in your practice
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Self-Study
NASBA Field of Study
Taxes (2 hours)
Program Prerequisites
Basic understanding of fraud and internal controls
Advance Preparation
None
Instructor
Robert K Minniti
DBA, CPA, CFE, Cr.FA, CVA, MAFF, CFF, CGMA, PI
Dr. Minniti is the President and Owner of Minniti CPA, LLC. Dr. Minniti is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Forensic Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Valuation Analyst, Certified in Financial Forensics, Master Analyst in Financial Forensics, Chartered Global Management Accountant, and is a licensed private investigator in the state of Arizona.
Dr. Minniti received his doctoral degree in business administration from Walden University, received his MBA degree and Graduate Certificate in Accounting from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Minniti taught graduate and undergraduate courses in forensic accounting at DeVry University, Grand Canyon University, Kaplan University, Northwestern University, and the University of Phoenix. He designed graduate and undergraduate courses for Grand Canyon University, Northwestern University, and Anthem College.
He is a writer and public speaker. He has experience in forensic accounting, fraud examinations, financial audits, internal audits, compliance audits, real estate valuations, business valuations, internal control development, business continuation planning, risk management, cyber security, privacy laws, data security, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance work and business consulting. In addition to his practice Dr. Minniti is an instructor teaching continuing professional education classes for a variety of providers and CPA Societies.
Dr. Minniti is currently serving as a board member on the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts' (NACVA) Litigation Forensics Board (LFB) and as a committee member on the Arizona State Board of Accountancy's Law Review Advisory Committee.