Below is information from Alan Gregerson, Internal Revenue Service Senior Stakeholder Liaison, that he thought might be useful for our MNSEA members.
What are the most common tax scams duping unsuspecting taxpayers out of their money or personal information? Find out next week as the Internal Revenue Service releases its 2018 list of “Dirty Dozen” tax scams.
In a series of 12 news releases beginning Monday, March 5, the IRS will feature one scam each business day, with a wrap-up on the 13th day. The releases are special consumer alerts designed to help taxpayers.
The annual list highlights various schemes that taxpayers may encounter throughout the year, many of which peak during tax-filing season. Taxpayers need to guard against ploys to steal their personal information, scam them out of money or talk them into engaging in questionable behavior with their taxes.
This year’s Dirty Dozen list includes:
- Phishing (Learn more by going to the Report Phishing and Online Scams page on IRS.gov.)
- Phone Scams
- Identity Theft
- Return Preparer Fraud
- Fake Charities
- Inflated Refund Claims
- Excessive Claims for Business Credits
- Falsely Padding Deductions on Returns
- Falsifying Income to Claim Credits
- Abusive Tax Shelters
- Frivolous Tax Arguments
- Offshore Tax Avoidance
Although many of these scams have appeared on the agency’s annual list in years past, it is important to note that scammers often use more desperate and elaborate mechanisms to swindle people out of their money. As these scams take on new twists and variations, the IRS hopes to alert taxpayers so they may arm themselves.
What: IRS Dirty Dozen List of 12 Consecutive News Releases; Wrap-up News Release on 13th Day
When: Beginning Monday, March 5, 2018
Where: Online at IRS Newsroom
Links below:
IR-2018-39, March 5, 2018 — Following continuing threats to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service today listed email “phishing” schemes as a top filing season concern and part of the annual listing of the “Dirty Dozen” tax scams for 2018.
Phone Scams Pose Serious Threat; Remain on IRS ‘Dirty Dozen’ List of Tax Scams
IR-2018-40, March 6, 2018 — The IRS reminded taxpayers to be careful with continuing aggressive phone scams as criminals pose as IRS agents in hopes of stealing money.
Despite Major Progress, Identity Theft Still on IRS ‘Dirty Dozen’ Tax Scams List
IR-2018-42, Mar. 7, 2018 — Even though reports of tax-related identity theft have declined markedly in recent years, the Internal Revenue Service warns that this practice is still widespread and remains serious enough to earn a spot on the agency’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams
IR-2018-45, March 8, 2018 — With more than half of the nation’s taxpayers relying on someone else to prepare their tax return, the IRS reminded consumers to be on the lookout for unscrupulous tax preparers looking to make a fast buck from honest people seeking tax assistance.
