How to Know If I Fall into the Income Tax Scam

One of the concerns of many taxpayers is knowing whether their Income Tax return is subject to the dreaded “fine mesh”. In this guide, we will clearly explain how you can check if you are in the fine mesh and what steps to take if this happens.

What is Fine Mesh?

The “fine mesh” is the term popularly used to refer to the “tax mesh” of the Federal Revenue Service.

When the Federal Revenue Service analyzes Income Tax returns, it may identify inconsistencies between the information declared by the taxpayer and the data provided by other sources, such as contracting companies, health plans, insurance companies and other entities.

When these discrepancies are found, the statement is retained for further analysis to check for possible tax fraud.

It is important to emphasize that being caught in the fine mesh does not necessarily mean that the declaration is incorrect, but rather that something caught the attention of the Federal Revenue Service and that it is necessary to clarify and prove the information declared.

How Do You Know If You've Been Scammed?

To find out if your Income Tax return has been subject to a fine mesh, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Access e-CAC

1. Access the Federal Revenue's e-CAC website through the following link: https://cav.receita.fazenda.gov.br/.

Step 2: Login

2. Log in to the platform. You can choose to generate an access code if you don't have one yet or use your account credentials. gov.br, which serve various government services.

Step 3: Access “My Income Tax”

3. After logging in, click on the “My Income Tax” section, located on the left of the screen.

Step 4: Check Mesh Pending Issues

4. Within “My Income Tax”, select the “Pending tax” option.

If your statement is not in the fine mesh, you will see the message: “No pending issues at the moment.

Attention: This situation does not mean that, for reasons of subsequent reviews, pending issues may appear.” Therefore, if your declaration is on hold, the website will show the reason for this.

What to Do If Your Declaration Has Been Checked?

If you find that your income tax return has been subject to a fine, it is important to take the necessary steps to regularize the situation. Here is how to proceed:

Step 1: Rectify Your Statement

1. Open the IRPF (Individual Income Tax) computer program corresponding to the year of your declaration.
2. Locate the “Rectify” option and click on it.
3. Select the statement you want to rectify and choose “Yes”.
4. Make the necessary corrections to your statement.

Remember that you can only amend your declaration if you have not yet been notified by the IRS.

Step 2: Submit Supporting Documents

If your return is withheld due to discrepancies in the data, it is important to gather supporting documents that can clarify the situation. This may include receipts, invoices, proof of medical expenses, among others. These documents will be essential to support the information declared.

Step 3: Wait for the IRS Analysis

After submitting the amended declaration and the necessary documents, the Federal Revenue Service will analyze your case. It is extremely important to know that this process can take some time. During this period, your Income Tax refund will be withheld until the situation is resolved.

Step 4: Regularize the Situation

If there are additional amounts to be paid due to corrections in the declaration, the IRS will deduct them from your refund. If there is no refund expected and you have taxes to pay, you will need to generate a Federal Revenue Collection Document (DARF) and make the payment as soon as possible.

How to Get Out of the Fine Mesh?

Getting out of trouble involves correcting inconsistencies in your statement and providing the necessary supporting documents. Here are the steps to resolve the situation:

Step 1: Correct the Statement

If you identify errors in your declaration or discrepancies in the information, correct them immediately by filing a corrective declaration.

Step 2: Submit Supporting Documents

Gather all documents that can prove the correct information in your declaration, such as receipts, invoices and proof of deductible expenses.

Step 3: Send Documents via DDA

Access the Federal Revenue Service Virtual Service Center (e-CAC) and use the Digital Service Dossier (DDA) option to send supporting documents. These documents will be analyzed by a Revenue auditor.

Step 4: Wait for Analysis

The IRS will analyze the documents and correct your declaration, if necessary. During this process, the refund will be updated according to the Selic rate (basic interest rate).

Prevention

To avoid falling victim to tax fraud in the future, it is essential to keep your tax documents organized and keep receipts, income statements and proof of deductible expenses for up to five years. The IRS regularly cross-references data, and inconsistencies can arise at any time. Keeping your documents in order will make it easier to correct any potential problems and regularize your tax situation.

Conclusion

Falling into the Income Tax net can be a worrying situation, but it is important to act calmly and follow the appropriate steps to resolve the situation. Regularly checking the status of your declaration on the Federal Revenue's e-CAC website is a good practice to avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure that your tax situation is in compliance.

Remember that correcting incorrect information and submitting supporting documents are the keys to getting out of trouble and regularizing your situation with the IRS. In addition, keeping your tax documents organized is essential to prevent problems in the future. By acting diligently, you can ensure that your Income Tax return is processed smoothly and efficiently.

Follow the guidelines presented in this guide to check the status of your declaration, take the necessary measures and, if necessary, correct any errors. This way, you will be better prepared to deal with the fine mesh and ensure that you comply with your tax obligations properly.

Read too: Last Payment of Income Tax Refund 2023