Tax season is the time of year that you have the opportunity to reclaim your tax money that you paid in throughout the year. But, there are those who would rob you of your rightful return by engaging in shady practices. Following are some tax tips to help you avoid the more common tax scams:
- Make sure that the person preparing your return is legitimate. Get all costs in writing and up front, along with where your refund goes once it is issued. If you are unsure about which tax preparer to use, check the Better Business Bureau for information, or utilize one of the national tax preparation chains.
- Don’t respond to emails that are seeking your personal information while promising a bigger refund. These are known as phishing scams and are solely used to part you from your money and identity. If the link in the email goes to a strange website, it’s a scam. No reputable company is going to ask for your personal information in an email, ever.
- Ignore emails suggesting you hide your money in an offshore account. There is no hiding money from the IRS anymore, no matter where the bank may be. The people that send you an email claiming you can hide your money offshore are seeking to steal your money.
Are you in the Phoenix, Arizona area and looking for help with your taxes? Contact Phocus Companies to speak to an accountant today!
