IRS Warns Taxpayers: How to Avoid Scams on Your Tax Return

Every year, as the tax season begins, thousands of American citizens start sending their documents to the IRS for income tax returns so that they can get a tax refund as soon as possible. However, many other citizens do not send their documents immediately because they do not fully understand the process or they need help with it.

Although the IRS provides free assistance every year so that citizens can easily file their tax returns, not all Americans get this facility. Only those people can take advantage of this free help who meet certain eligibility criteria. In such a situation, citizens who do not get this facility often look for external assistance.

But the problem is that not all kinds of help are reliable. Some people can fill out the documents themselves, but for many Americans, this process is complicated. This is why the IRS warns that not all kinds of help are right and many times people fall prey to tax return fraud.

IRS warns about tax return fraud

If you need help filing your tax return, it is very important to keep in mind some important things. If you are not careful, it is possible that a fraudster may steal your personal information or harm you financially.

According to the IRS, keep the following things in mind to avoid tax return fraud:

1. ✔ Do not sign incomplete documents:
   • Many times fraudsters ask you to sign documents with incomplete or incorrect information, which can later lead to financial irregularities.
2. ✔ Make sure that the helping agent has an official license:
   • If someone offers to help you, check that he has a license or certificate recognized by the IRS.
3. ✔ Avoid agents who promise you an unusually high tax refund:
   • Some agents claim to increase your tax refund by adopting unfair means, but this can land you in legal problems in the future.
4. ✔ Consult the IRS in case of any doubt:
   • If you have any doubts about an agent or the tax filing process, immediately seek information from the official IRS website or helpline.

How to avoid tax return scams?

Many fraudsters try to steal people’s personal and financial information in the name of providing tax filing services. These scammers can use your information to take fake loans or directly steal your tax refund.

To avoid such fraud, follow these important points:

• 1️⃣ Check the free services available on the official IRS website:
  • If you are eligible, the IRS itself provides you with a free tax filing facility.
• 2️⃣ Avoid unreliable agents and unauthorized tax preparers:
  • Seek help only from officially certified tax advisors.
• 3️⃣ Do not share your tax documents and bank information with unknown persons:
  • Your personal information should be limited to trusted sources only.
• 4️⃣ If you receive suspicious emails or calls from unknown sources, ignore them:
  • The IRS never asks for tax-related information via email, text or phone call.

Last date to file tax returns

According to the IRS, citizens should file their tax returns by April 15, 2025. If you submit it early, you can also get a tax refund soon.

Conclusion

Avoid rushing to file tax returns and seek help only from official or trusted sources. The IRS has already warned that there can be many scams related to tax filing, so it is important to be aware. If you have any doubts, contact the IRS immediately and get the right information.

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