Tax Season Alert: IRS Advises on Safe Tax Preparer Selection
The IRS urges taxpayers to carefully select their tax preparers to safeguard their personal and financial information. As the agency reviews, while most preparers are reliable, some engage in fraud or identity theft. Taxpayers remain legally responsible for their returns, even when using a professional. To avoid scams, individuals should verify a preparer’s credentials, ensure they have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), and avoid “ghost” preparers who refuse to sign returns. It’s essential to discuss fees upfront, review the preparer’s history, and never sign a blank or incomplete return. To help taxpayers choose wisely, the IRS offers a preparer directory and guidelines on its website. Suspected fraud can be reported using IRS Forms 14157 and 14157-A.
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