Community Corner
Tax Tips: IRS Warns Mountain View Residents About 'Dirty Dozen' Scams
Tax time is here. Check this list of 12 scams that come in many forms during the filing season.
(Editor's Note: The following information is provided by the IRS)
The Internal Revenue Service has issued its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud.
The Dirty Dozen listing, compiled by the IRS each year, details a variety of common scams taxpayers can encounter at any point during the year. But many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their tax returns.
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"This tax season, the IRS has stepped up its efforts to protect taxpayers from a wide range of schemes, including moving aggressively to combat identity theft and refund fraud," said IRS Acting Commissioner Steven T. Miller. "The Dirty Dozen list shows that scams come in many forms during filing season. Don't let a scam artist steal from you or talk you into doing something you will regret later."
Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal prosecution. IRS Criminal Investigation works closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to shutdown scams and prosecute the criminals behind them.
Find out what's happening in Mountain Viewwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The following are the Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2013:
- Identity Theft
- Phishing
- Return Preparer Fraud
- Hiding Income Offshore
- “Free Money” from the IRS & Tax Scams Involving Social Security
- Impersonation of Charitable Organizations
- False/Inflated Income and Expenses
- False Form 1099 Refund Claims
- Frivolous Arguments
- Falsely Claiming Zero Wages
- Disguised Corporate Ownership
- Misuse of Trusts
Have you or someone you know been scammed? How did you/they resolve it? Do you have any advice for others? Tell us in comments!
Related articles:
- Where to Get Free Help this Tax Season
- Readers' Choice: Best Tax Services
- Your Sales Tax Goes Up Monday
- When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?
- Man Arrested for Yard Work Scam
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