IRS 2023 Dirty Dozen – Scam #7:  Social Media:  Fraudulent Forms Filing and Bad Advice (Part C)

IRS 2023 Dirty Dozen – Scam #7:  Social Media:  Fraudulent Forms Filing and Bad Advice (Part C)

The IRS is aware of various filing season hashtags and social media topics leading to inaccurate and potentially fraudulent information. The central theme involves people trying to use legitimate tax forms for the wrong reason.

How taxpayers can verify information

Keep in mind: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• IRS.gov has a forms repository with legitimate and detailed instructions for taxpayers on how to fill out the forms properly.
• Use IRS.gov, official IRS social media accounts, or other government sites to fact check information.

Make a difference: Report fraud, scams and schemes

As part of the Dirty Dozen awareness effort, the IRS encourages people to report individuals who promote improper and abusive tax schemes as well as tax return preparers who deliberately prepare improper returns.

To report an abusive tax scheme or a tax return preparer, people should mail or fax a completed Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or PreparersPDF and any supporting materials to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations.

Mail:

Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center
Stop MS5040
24000 Avila Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-3405
Fax: 877-477-9135

Alternatively, taxpayers and tax practitioners may send the information to the IRS Whistleblower Office for possible monetary reward.

Next week  #8: Spearphishing and cybersecurity for tax professionals

(IRS Web Site  (TTT 082223)