Marco Rubio, Ted Yoho Want to Increase Online Tax-Filing Security

As Americans gets ready to file their taxes next month, two Florida congressional Republicans brought out a bill this week to protect their security if they file online.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., introduced legislation on Tuesday forcing the Treasury Department to add tougher security measures, including security questions, for Americans who file their taxes online. Both Rubio and Yoho noted that Florida has been facing more identity threat problems than other states.

One of the biggest problems that constituents turn to our office for help with is electronic identity theft that results from filing taxes online, said Rubio. The criminals behind this problem are stealing both peoples money and their time. Florida is where the electronic identity theft problem is most severe, and we believe the Treasury Department and IRS need to step up their game in cracking down on this problem by prioritizing resources to combat the growing trend of electronic identity theft.

With tax season upon us, the problem of identity theft is serious and growing. The fact that this affects an increasing number of Floridians is unacceptable, said Yoho. I am happy to join Sen. Rubio in pressing the Treasury Department and IRS to solve this problem. The bill we have introduced today is a common-sense solution that will protect hard-working American taxpayers from faceless cyber criminals, as well as save them billions of dollars.