Ten Tax Scams to Avoid
The IRS often warns consumers about tax scams this time of year. While it’s important to be vigilant as you work with your tax preparer or do your own yearly tax filing, watch out for many of these scams that happen year-round. If you come across any of these, consider it a red flag.
Ten Tax Scams to Avoid
- A claim that the tax system is unconstitutional. – The tax system is constitutional. And yes, you do have to pay taxes.
- Tax Preparer Scams. – If your tax preparer won’t sign your tax return, they are likely not authorized to prepare taxes. Make sure your preparer has an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number.
- “Huge” refunds. – Beware of the preparer who promises huge refunds if you split it with them. This often results in falsified deductions, which is tax fraud.
- Fuel tax credit. – Unscrupulous tax preparers may try to talk you into illegally deducting your fuel use. Unless you’re a farmer, you probably can’t do that!
- Phone scams. – Don’t give out your personal information if someone calls claiming to be from the IRS. This is often a scam to steal your identity.
- Phishing. – The IRS will never contact you via e-mail, text, or social media. Do not give out personal information in response to communications that come in such a manner.
- Captive insurance. – Some companies market their insurance as tax-deductible. Not only is this generally false, but many of these policies contain vague and easily abused language.
- Hiding money. – You must declare income on foreign bank accounts. Hiding income in offshore accounts is considered tax evasion.
- Nonexistent charities. – Do not give money to a charity without first verifying that it is legitimate and that your donation is tax-deductible. Do your homework.
- Too good to be true. – If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you had income last year, you cannot claim you didn’t. Tax shelters and offshore accounts won’t allow you to evade taxes.
Again, be vigilant about doing your homework on your tax preparer and on the tax laws. Every year, new fraudulent methods to scam and steal from consumers and the IRS come to light. Don’t be a victim because you failed to do the necessary research to protect yourself.
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