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Officials Warn of Tax Preparation Fraud

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Mar 9, 2013 at 9:52 PM MDT

Story Updated: Mar 10, 2013 at 12:18 AM MDT

DENVER - U.S. Senator Mark Udall and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers warned consumers today to beware of tax-preparation fraud, a common scam where tax preparers change return documents to steal refunds and increase the return amounts.

Fraudulent tax preparers often solicit clients using Internet ads or by setting up temporary store fronts. Once a taxpayer contacts the fraudulent tax service, the scammer then fills out his or her tax forms and volunteers to mail it in on behalf of the consumer. The fraudulent tax preparer then falsifies information on the tax form to increase the size of the return and alters the address or the bank account to steal the refund check.

"Tax-preparation fraud is a common scam that can rob Coloradans of hundreds or thousands of dollars and leave them holding the bag with the IRS," Udall said. "Although working with a tax preparer can make the tedious process of filing a tax return easier, consumers need to be careful."

"While most preparers provide a reputable service to their clients, an alarming number prey on unsuspecting taxpayers," Suthers said. "Taxpayers should choose carefully when hiring a tax preparer and watch for the warning signs of a dishonest one."

Taxpayers are responsible for the accuracy of all entries made on their tax returns. This is true whether taxpayers or preparers fill them out. Nonetheless, Udall and Suthers advised consumers to take several simple steps to avoid being victimized:

1. Avoid return preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers.
2. Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of the refund.
3. Use a reputable tax professional that signs and enters a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) on your tax return and provides you with a copy for your records.
4. Consider whether the individual or firm will be around to answer questions about the preparation of your tax return, months, even years, after the return has been filed.
5. Never sign a blank tax form.
6. Ask questions. Do you know anyone who has used the tax professional? Were they satisfied with the service they received?

To learn more about tax-preparation fraud, visit the IRS's website.

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Disgusted said on Sunday, Mar 10 at 10:21 PM

Sen Udall? Didn't he vote yes on the job-killing travesty known as Obummercare that was snuck through under cover of darkness and holiday by democrat cowards too afraid to debate it in public on Christmas Eve, 2009?

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