JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s tax season and when looking for a tax preparer it’s a good idea to do some research.
According to The Better Business Bureau (BBB) if a preparer claims they can get you a fast or big refund, it’s a scam.
The BBB warns people to watch out for “ghost tax preparers.” That’s someone who prepares returns that are not certified by the IRS.
The agency requires all preparers to have tax identification numbers but “ghost preparers” work around that rule by not signing the returns they file.
Instead, they ask the filer to sign so that it looks like the taxpayer self-filed. That means that if anything goes wrong with your return you will be liable for errors and omissions and not the ghost tax preparer.
The best way to protect yourself is to ask the tax preparer questions ahead of time. Ask them to show their Preparer Tax Identification Number so you can check it on IRS.gov.
The Federal Trade Commission typically sees an uptick in reports of fraud during tax season. So the best way to protect yourself is to file early.
The IRS will never initiate contact with you by email, text, or on social media.
Also if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the tax agency, do not give them any personal information.
If you are unsure call the IRS directly.