NEW HAVEN, CT —Tax season kicked off on January 23, and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) reminds U.S. taxpayers to take extra steps to protect their identities and wallets when filing their taxes.
“Taxpayers are really the first line of defense against unscrupulous return preparers and the related scams,” said Joleen Simpson, the Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office. “If taxpayers are aware, they can avoid falling victim to some of the latest tax fraud schemes.”
Forgo fraud this filing season:
Choose a tax preparer wisely. Look for a preparer who is available year-round.
Ask your tax preparer for their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). All paid preparers are required to have one.
Don’t use a ghost preparer. They won’t sign a tax return they prepare for you.
Don’t fall victim to tax preparers’ promises of large refunds. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. All taxpayers must pay their fair share of taxes.
Don’t sign a blank tax return. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for what appears on tax returns filed with the IRS.
Electronically file your tax return if possible. If you must mail your tax return or payments to the IRS, use a physical Post Office location. Using stand-alone mailboxes can make your tax return and payments susceptible to mail theft.
Make sure…
