Politics & Government
Tax Tips: IRS Warns Los Altos 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:
With the April 15 tax deadline looming, the Internal Revenue Service has issued its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to tax return preparer fraud.
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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. Which, of course, is now.
"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."
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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 shut down scams and prosecute the criminals behind them.
The following are the Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2013. Click on each link to learn what is at risk:
- 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
Also in Los Altos Patch
- When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?
- IRS Outlines Eight Tax Benefits for Parents
- Smitten Elderly Man Scammed by 'Sweetheart'
- Sales Tax for Amazon Purchases Starts Soon
- DA Warns of Scam Targeting the Elderly
- Santa Clara County Renters Alerted to Avoid Imposter Landlord Scam
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