Protect yourself from IRS tax scams.

Protect Yourself from IRS Tax Scams

  • August 23, 2024

The IRS's New Coalition Says It Has Your Back

As tax scams become more sophisticated, the IRS is stepping up its efforts to protect you, the taxpayer, from falling victim. 

The agency has launched the “Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats” (CASST) to fight back against the growing number of IRS tax scams that threaten your financial security.

Growing Threat of IRS Tax Scams

The 2024 tax season saw a significant increase in identity theft cases, with over 15,000 fraudulent returns filed by scammers attempting to claim refunds owed to others. 

The IRS successfully stopped these scams, preventing more than $180 million in fraudulent refunds from being issued. 

However, the number of IRS tax scams continues to rise, posing a greater risk to taxpayers like you.

What the IRS's New Coalition Means for You

To combat this growing threat, the IRS has formed a coalition with members of the tax industry, including state tax agencies, national tax professional organizations, and leading tech firms. 

This joint effort aims to better protect taxpayers from scams by improving outreach, education, and infrastructure.

The coalition will work on several fronts, including enhancing PTIN and EFIN validation and targeting “ghost preparers” – fake tax preparers who charge hefty fees and then disappear, leaving you to deal with the consequences of incorrect claims.

How to Protect Yourself from IRS Tax Scams

The IRS has issued multiple warnings about scams targeting taxpayers, including fake charities, phishing schemes, and misleading offers in compromise. 

To protect yourself, always verify the legitimacy of any communication claiming to be from the IRS, especially if it’s unsolicited. 

Be cautious of anyone pressuring you to make donations or apply for credits or refunds for which you may not be eligible.

The Importance of Staying Vigilant

As the IRS continues to fight IRS tax scams, it’s crucial for you to stay vigilant. Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, and even well-meaning taxpayers can fall prey to their schemes. 

By staying informed and cautious, you can avoid becoming a victim and protect your hard-earned money.

The coalition’s efforts are aimed at putting new protections in place by the 2025 filing season, but your awareness and caution are your first line of defense.

Be Aware and Watch Out for These New Tax Scams!

Try not to be fooled or taken in by these new scams. Review everything carefully and if anything doesn't add up, let the IRS and TIGTA know. And you can let us know too! My Team and I are always here to help.

And if you get any kind of notice from the IRS – or find yourself on their radar in any way – please don't ignore it! Contact me or any member of my Tax Problem Solver team for help, and we'll start the ball rolling to solve whatever is going on.

You can reach us by one of the contact methods below in the blue box, or email me at Larry@TaxProblemSolver.com and we can review your specific issues and solve them. You can also click here to book a free consultation.

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About the Author Larry Heinkel J.D. LL.M

Larry Heinkel is a tax and bankruptcy attorney with more than 38 years experience helping businesses and individuals, solve their state and federal tax problems. Mr. Heinkel has been extremely successful in representing his clients before IRS and DOR, and is known throughout Florida as an expert in tax problem resolution.

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