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IRS Warns of Tax Preparer Fraud

January 31, 2005
You're probably pulling all your receipts, canceled checks and other paperwork together in anticipation of filing your income tax return. Fine, but a word of caution from the Internal Revenue Service: the sharks and scammers are out there.

Tax return preparation fraud generally involves the preparation and filing of false income tax returns by preparers who claim inflated personal or business expenses, false deductions, unallowable credits or excessive exemptions on returns prepared for their clients.

Preparers may also manipulate income figures to fruadulently obtain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.

In some situations, the client may not know of the false expenses, deductions, exemptions and credits shown on their tax returns. But, when the IRS detects the false return, the taxpayer must pay the additional taxes and interest and may be subject to penalties and criminal prosecution.

While most preparers provide good service to their clients, the IRS urges taxpayers to be very careful when choosing a tax preparer. You should be as careful as you would in choosing a doctor or a lawyer. It is important to know that even if someone else prepares your return, you are ultimately responsible for all the information on the tax return.

Some hints from the IRS:

• Avoid tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers.
• Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of the refund.
• Use a reputable tax professional who signs your tax return and provides you with a copy for your records.
• Consider whether the individual or firm will be around to answer questions about the preparation of your tax return months, or even years, after the return has been filed.
• Review your return before you sign it and ask questions on entries you don't understand.
• No matter who prepares your tax return, you (the taxpayer) are ultimately responsible for all of the information on your tax return. Therefore, never sign a blank tax form.
• Find out the person's credentials. Is he or she an Accredited Tax Preparer, Enrolled Agent, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Licensed Public Account or Tax Attorney? Only attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters including audits, collection and appeals. Other return preparers may only represent taxpayers for audits.
• Find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics.
• Ask questions. Do you know anyone who has used the tax professional? Were they satisfied with the service they received?

Tax evasion is a risky crime, a felony, punishable by five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

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