It’s Time for a Tax Scam Refresher Course
Despite repeated warnings from the media and the IRS alike, thousands of people are conned out of money every tax season by scammers. Make sure you’re not one of them. Here is a list of some of the most common scams the IRS sees this time of year. The list is not all-inclusive, as scammers will stop at nothing to cheat both taxpayers and the IRS out of as much money as they can every year. However, it does give you good idea of what you’re up against.
- Phone Scams – the IRS will never call you and make threats or ask for important personal information over the phone. Don’t fall for anyone impersonating the IRS with threats of deportation or other serious consequences.
- Identity Theft – whatever you do to protect yourself from identify theft throughout the year, you should double those precautions at this time of year. Stealing your identity is one of the most common tools scammers use to steal your tax refund.
- Shady Preparer – don’t fall for any tax preparer that promises you a huge refund, ask you to sign a blank return, or wants to charge you according to a percentage of your refund.
- Phishing – another common attack is called phishing, wherein scammers use fake emails or websites to trick people into giving away personal information. The IRS does not employ these methods.
- Fake Charities – another way con artists scam taxpayers is by getting them to donate funds to fake charities as they look for another way to reduce their tax bill. Consult the IRS website to be sure a charity is actually legitimate, before you donate.
- False Credit Claims – don’t give into the temptation to falsify your income in order to receive more credits, even if your preparer tells you it’s OK.
Don’t Be Fooled
If you feel that someone is trying to scam you in regards to your taxes, don’t let them get away with it. Anything that sounds to good to be true or doesn’t pass the proverbial smell-test is probably a scam. Instead, trust your taxes with the experienced and knowledgeable tax professionals at GROCO. We can help you avoid scams and get the greatest refund possible. Just call us today at 1-877-CPA-2006, or connect with us online.
How to Raise Children That Become Entrepreneurs
How to Raise Children That Become Entrepreneurs By Lauren Hidden Ever since my kids can remember, I’ve worked from home. Sometimes I have to remind them that I’m not sitting home playing with their toys or eating bon-bons when they’re at the babysitter or at school, but for the most part they “get it”. As…
Transferring Assets to a Second Spouse (and to children from the first)
Transferring Assets to a Second Spouse (and to children from the first) Elizabeth and Thomas Carr (names fictitious), both in their late 60s, each have one child from a prior marriage. During the 30-plus years of their marriage, they each have accumulated an estate of over $5 million. The full $1.5 million credit against estate…
The Roth IRA Advantage: A Closer Look
The Roth IRA Advantage: A Closer Look Since its debut in 1997, the Roth IRA, naturally enough, has been sold mainly as a retirement account. To be sure, the prospect of a stream of tax-free income to support a comfortable retirement is a powerful stimulant. To earn that freedom from taxes, you do have to…
Classification of Accepted Patterns of Reorganization
Classification of Accepted Patterns of Reorganization The seven acceptable patterns of reorganization may be classified into three categories: Acquisitive, Divisive, Re-capitalizing. Acquisitive reorganizations Type “A,” “B”, “C,” and acquisitive D, in which one Corporation acquires another corporation’s stock, assets, or some combination of both. Divisive reorganization Type D involves the division of one corporation into…