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HomeNewsIRS releases Dirty Dozen Tax Scams List for 2014

IRS releases Dirty Dozen Tax Scams List for 2014

IRS - Internal Revenue ServiceWashington, D.C. – Every year, people fall prey to tax scams. The IRS wants you to be safe and informed – and not become a victim.

“Some people are victimized by tax scams, while some get involved after being lured in by false promises of big money,” said IRS spokesman Dan Boone.

Taxpayers who get involved in illegal tax scams can lose their money, or face stiff penalties, interest and even criminal prosecution. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Here are some highlights from the 2014 update of IRS’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams.

Identity theft. Tax fraud using identity theft tops this year’s Dirty Dozen list. In many cases, an identity thief uses a taxpayer’s identity to illegally file a tax return and claim a refund. For the 2014 filing season, the IRS has expanded efforts to better protect taxpayers and help victims. Find more information on the identity protection page on www.IRS.gov.

Pervasive telephone scams.  The IRS has seen an increase in local phone scams across the country. Callers pretend to be from the IRS in hopes of stealing money or identities from victims. If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS – and you know you owe taxes or think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe taxes, then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484.

Phishing.  Phishing scams typically use unsolicited emails or fake websites that appear legitimate. Scammers lure in victims and prompt them to provide their personal and financial information. The fact is that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels.

False promises of “free money” from inflated refunds. Scam artists often pose as tax preparers during tax time, luring victims in by promising large tax refunds. The bottom line is that you are legally responsible for what’s on your tax return, even if someone else prepares it. Taxpayers who buy into such schemes can end up penalized for filing false claims or receiving fraudulent refunds. Take care when choosing someone to do your taxes. Only use a qualified tax preparer who will sign your return and enter their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). For tips about choosing a preparer, visit www.irs.gov/chooseataxpro .

Impersonation of charitable organizations. Taxpayers need to be sure they donate to recognized charities. Following major disasters, it’s common for scam artists to impersonate charities to get money or personal information from well-intentioned people. They may even directly contact disaster victims and claim to be working with the IRS to help the victims file casualty loss claims and get tax refunds.

Frivolous arguments.  Frivolous schemes encourage taxpayers to make unreasonable and outlandish claims to avoid paying the taxes they owe. The IRS has a list of frivolous tax arguments that taxpayers should avoid. While taxpayers have the right to contest their tax liabilities in court, no one has the right to disobey the law or ignore their responsibility to pay taxes.

Tax scams can take many forms beyond the “Dirty Dozen”. The best defense is to remain vigilant. Get more information on tax scams at IRS.gov.

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