Consumer awareness about the problems of identity theft and tax-related has risen sharply over the last two years. A study by Experian found that 76 percent of respondents are familiar with those issues, up from 57 percent in 2014 and 63 percent last year. Also, 42 percent of those responding are now concerned that someone could access their personal data through their tax returns, compared to only 35 percent in 2014 and 38 percent in 2015.

A Pembroke Pines, Florida, couple has pleaded guilty to using stolen identities to file more than 700 returns for tax years 2009 through 2011. Walther Wilson Godfrey, 37 and Rhonda Peggy Gittens, 35, were accused obtaining IDs of living and deceased individuals to request more than $1.9 million in refunds. They also possessed devices for creating ID materials.

The annual race to get taxes prepared and filed on time has officially begun as the Internal Revenue Service is accepting returns. Everyone will be looking to see how filing volume compares with last year and there will be particular emphasis on how well-publicized security measures implemented by governmental bodies and software vendors work to dampen filing fraud.

Intuit has launched an Affordable Care Act Resource Center. The online center offers tax professionals information to assist clients in understanding the tax and financial implications of the Affordable Care Act. Last year, the Mountain View, Calif.-based software company had Understanding the Affordable Care Act online.