The most wonderful time of the year? Yes, that’s right: Tax season is just around the corner!
Less wonderfully, that also means it’s prime time for fraudsters posing as tax preparers to prey on unsuspecting filers, luring them with promises of inflated refunds.
In its annual “Dirty Dozen” campaign highlighting pervasive threats taxpayers face, the IRS cautioned about the rise in ghost preparers: unscrupulous tax preparers who could leave you on the hook for penalties and interest while pocketing ill-gotten gains and disappearing faster than The Ghost of Refunds Yet to Come.
Of course, while most tax professionals (including us) are ethical, competent, and crucial in navigating complex filing requirements, the unethical minority still manages to orchestrate large-scale fraud. So, this tax season, you should be especially vigilant about vetting preparers carefully and watching for telltale signs of scams.
To discover more about identifying shady tax preparers, safeguarding your information, reporting misconduct to the authorities, and selecting reliable tax filing assistance, continue reading below.
The IRS Dirty Dozen is an annual list of the 12 most prominent tax scams threatening taxpayers and the tax preparation ecosystem at any given time.
This awareness campaign focuses on emerging new schemes and persistent threats by highlighting the worst and most damaging fraudulent activities people might encounter.
Tactics running the gamut from identity theft to inflated refund promises can leave people unwittingly owing back taxes, interest, and fines they never accounted for.
By issuing the Dirty Dozen advisory, the IRS aims to arm taxpayers with information to recognize risks, safeguard themselves from current scams, and understand the potential enforcement consequences of ploys robbing them of money, data, or legal standing.
While the Dirty Dozen list contains completely illegal tactics, it also encompasses legally dubious grey areas where seemingly harmless opportunities to pay less tax turn out to entail civil penalties or even criminal prosecution. So beyond overt fraud, the list also brings light to more subtle forms of non-compliance carrying harsh consequences.
By understanding the current cons contained in the Dirty Dozen, people have actionable information to combat evolving scammer tactics targeting taxation processes.
To reiterate: A reliable tax preparer will always abide by ethical and professional standards and ensure your filings are complete and accurate — and most tax professionals are reliable!
However, “ghost preparers” or other fraudsters have a different goal: employing clever tricks to pilfer bigger refunds and charge more in fees without the taxpayer detecting the ruse until it’s too late.
There are some common red flags and underhanded tactics to watch out for.
Be on the lookout for tax preparers who:
Some underhanded tactics that should also sound the alarm bells include:
While flagging shady behavior is crucial, proactive vetting is equally vital when searching for a preparer.
Treat the decision as akin to finding a doctor or financial advisor, prioritizing great care in evaluating qualifications, experience, and reputation through:
By being proactive and altogether avoiding unverified strangers hawking tax prep online or via soliciting, taxpayers can find ethical experts while steering clear of scams.
The IRS also provides a wealth of resources about taxpayer rights, reporting fraud, and selecting quality assistance on its website, IRS.gov.
If you do fall prey to an unscrupulous preparer, promptly reporting them to the Internal Revenue Service is critical, both to reclaim losses and prevent others from victimization.
Gather as much documentation about your experience as possible; items like written receipts, copies of advertisements and business cards, screenshots, and emails all help substantiate your case and increase the likelihood that your complaint will warrant audit inquiries beyond your returns alone.
Then, file your detailed complaint by mailing or faxing a completed Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers, and any supporting materials to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations.
Alternatively, taxpayers and tax practitioners may send the information to the IRS Whistleblower Office for possible monetary reward.
For more information, see Abusive Tax Schemes and Abusive Tax Return Preparers.
The IRS and Department of Justice utilize public tips to build cases against bad actors. In fact, since 2001, the IRS has won permanent injunctions against more than 365 fraudulent promoters and preparers.
Taxpayers who come forward with credible documentation do their part in putting investigators on the right trail toward prosecuting scammers.
Pursuing civil settlements or submitting whistleblower claims for monetary rewards through Form 211 are other avenues victims might consider exploring with legal counsel, depending on their circumstances and the financial damages incurred.
Ultimately, you are responsible for what you declare on your tax returns — no matter who completes them. To put it another way, you will be held liable for a fraudulent return submitted under your name, even if you were unaware of the fraud.
That’s why working with an ethical, experienced tax preparer is paramount.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, do not hesitate to conduct further scrutiny or simply back away before it’s too late. Your sensitive personal and financial data deserves nothing less than the utmost confidence when entrusting it to a tax preparation service.
As experienced professionals, our team at Stable Rock stands ready to offer customized guidance based on your unique tax circumstances and to ensure full compliance, maximize legitimate deductions, and uncover every non-shady opportunity to save.
Choosing the right tax preparer is important not just for compliance but for your peace of mind. If you have questions about your current tax filings or want to work with a team you can trust, we’re here to help.
At Stable Rock, we offer experienced, ethical tax preparation and advisory services that protect your interests and help you take advantage of every opportunity within the law.