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Keeping Yourself Safe from Tax Scams Today

Updated for Tax Year 2021 • October sixteen, 2021 09:15 AM

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OVERVIEW

Taxation scams don't all look the same, just they are all intended to steal your money. Most fall into i of several categories of illicit acts, including phone scams, phishing and tax provider scams. Help yourself avert these scams by knowing what kinds are out there and taking steps to keep your money safe.

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Don't engage with phone scammers

The caller knows your proper noun and maybe your address, too. He says he'south from the Internal Acquirement Service (IRS) and tells you lot that you owe back taxes and must pay up now or face up arrest or deportation.

Or, sometimes, the scammer says the IRS owes yous a refund and and then asks for your financial data. Ambitious phone calls like these are at the elevation of the IRS' "Dirty Dozen" tax scam list. Remember—the IRS will never:

• Need payment in a phone telephone call
• Threaten to bring in constabulary enforcement agencies
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers by phone

Avoid these scams by remaining calm and vigilant. The key is to go off the phone without providing any personal information, then study the incident to local police, the Federal Trade Committee or the Treasury Inspector General for Revenue enhancement Administration at 1-800-366-4484.

I way to avoid phone scams is to let voicemail pick up calls from people you don't know, specially during revenue enhancement season. Elizabeth Beristain, writer and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, uses this technique.

Last year, she received several threatening, tax-scam calls on her voice mail, only simply opted not to return them. "It'due south easier to recognize a scam on your vocalization postal service," Beristain says. "You aren't put in the position of having to answer immediately."

Don't respond to emails seeking personal or financial information

If a phony IRS contact comes via electronic mail, it's called phishing. The newest twist on phishing is a request that says information technology comes from the IRS asking you to update your IRS eastward-file or profile.

The term phishing also refers to websites designed to steal your personal information, similar Social Security numbers. Criminals tin apply this information to steal your identity or your money. With a Social Security number, they tin can file a revenue enhancement return in your name and pocket the refund.

Avert phishing scams by taking these precautions:

• Never open emails claiming to be from the IRS. The bureau won't send emails out of the blue nearly your taxes or refunds.
• Stay away from websites that look suspicious or promise results that are too good to be true.
• Never requite out your Social Security number or whatever financial information in response to an electronic mail request.

Use reputable tax preparers and websites

Non everyone who offers to do your tax return is a legitimate revenue enhancement preparer. Phony tax preparers and tax training websites are interested only in stealing your money and financial information.

The IRS requires tax preparers to obtain an annual Preparer Taxation Identification Number (PTIN) before they are authorized to prepare federal tax returns. If someone doesn't accept a PTIN, don't permit him or her to practise your taxation return. The IRS besides has a Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers you can employ to verify that a tax preparer is credentialed.

Ideally, use a taxation preparer yous know and trust or a revenue enhancement preparation website that has been effectually awhile and has a good reputation. If you are solicited by someone new, exist wary if the tax preparer:

• Bases fees on the amount of your refund
• Suggests you have your refund sent to him
• Cannot file electronic returns
• Doesn't sign your return and include a PTIN

Steer clear of taxation preparers who promise too much

Some unscrupulous tax preparers lure taxpayers with such tactics as:

• Promising to hide income in off-shore companies
• Claiming sky-high exemptions
• Using deductions you've never used before and don't understand

Remember, if a tax preparer files a fraudulent render in your proper name, the IRS can appraise penalties and interest, and yous might fifty-fifty face up criminal charges.

Avoid whatever taxation preparer who asks you to sign a blank render or assures you of a big refund before even learning the details of your fiscal situation. Walk the other way if he suggests falsifying documents or angle the police force, like offer to "correct" a 1099 form by reporting your income every bit zero.

Remember, with TurboTax, we'll ask you simple questions nigh your life and help you fill out all the correct tax forms. With TurboTax you can be confident your taxes are washed right, from simple to circuitous tax returns, no matter what your situation.

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The above article is intended to provide generalized financial data designed to brainwash a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other concern and professional person communication. Before taking any action, y'all should always seek the aid of a professional person who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or whatsoever other business and professional person matters that touch on you and/or your business.

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