Every year
the IRS releases its "Dirty Dozen" list of the year's most prevalent
tax scams. They include ploys to steal personal information, talk people out of
money, or engage in questionable tax activity. Here are some of the top scams:
- Phishing. Fake emails or websites claiming to represent the IRS, for
the purpose of stealing personal information. The IRS will never try to
contact you via email about a bill or refund.
- Phone scams. Scammers impersonating IRS agents over the phone. These
impersonators may threaten you with arrest if you don't make immediate
payment for fake tax bills. Don't fall for it – the real IRS makes contact
via a letter, and never threatens or demands immediate payment.
- Identity theft. Using a stolen Social Security number to file a fraudulent
return and claim a refund. The IRS said it is making great progress on
reducing this scam as identity theft reports are down 40 percent from a
year ago.
- Fake charities. Some fraudsters use the mask of charitable activity to get
you to donate funds to fake organizations. Only donate to legitimate
charities, which are listed in the IRS database.
- Inflated refund claims. Many taxpayers are wooed by tax-refund services offering
payouts that seem too good to be true. Cheap tax-preparation services that
promise unrealistic refunds are illegal and often get taxpayers in
trouble.
- Padded deductions. The IRS is focusing on identifying tax returns that try to
reduce tax by overstating deductions such as charitable deductions or
business expenses.
- Falsifying income to claim credits. Improper use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), meant
for eligible low-income taxpayers. The IRS has been cracking down on EITC
fraud in recent years.
- Abusive tax shelters. Some fraudsters peddle complex tax avoidance schemes known
as tax shelters that they portray as legal tax strategies. Make sure you
get an independent opinion on any complex tax schemes.
- Frivolous tax arguments. Frivolous arguments to avoid paying taxes (for example,
arguing a personal vacation is a business expense) can be penalized by up
to $5,000 per tax return.
- Offshore tax avoidance. Using offshore bank accounts and complex international tax
structures to avoid paying taxes is still a common scam on the radar of
IRS auditors.
If
you have questions, call us at (219) 769-3616 or email them to tlynch@swartz-retson.com.
