The document discusses 7 common tax scams that taxpayers should be aware of when filing their taxes. These scams include identity theft, tax preparer fraud, questionable tax dodges, phone scams, bogus emails, scams claiming free money from the IRS, and fake charities. Being educated about these scams can help taxpayers avoid having their personal information stolen or incorrectly filing their taxes.

1. Paying taxes is bad enough, but falling prey to a tax scam can be
even worse. Many of the same tax scams crop up year after year,
ensnaring new victims every tax season. Being aware of potential
pitfalls can make filing taxes easier and keep you out of trouble
with the IRS.
Whether you are getting ready to file your taxes or still gathering
the required paperwork, you need to be aware of these common tax
scams. Doing your homework ahead of time can protect you from
scams and questionable tax dodges as the April 15 tax deadline
approaches
#1— Identity Theft
The tax filing season is prime time for identity thieves. After all,
your tax return contains a wealth of information identity thieves
can use to get credit in your name, take out loans and otherwise
make your life miserable.
Identity thieves also use personal information they have already
gathered to file bonus returns and claim refunds to which they are
not entitled. The thieves often file early, leaving the legitimate
taxpayer without the money they are due. You can protect yourself
by checking your credit report regularly for early signs of identity
theft, and by creating strong passwords for tax preparation and
financial websites.
#2 — Tax Preparer Fraud
Sometimes the people you hire to prepare your return violate that
trust instead. Tax preparer fraud takes a number of different forms,
from individuals who steal Social Security numbers for their own
use to workers who boost client refunds by inventing dependents

2. or claiming bogus credits.You can protect yourself by checking the
return carefully before you sign. If something does not look right,
read it over carefully and question any discrepancies. You are
responsible for the information on your return, even if it was
prepared by someone else.
#3 — Questionable Tax Dodges
You may have heard that paying income taxes is voluntary, or that
only money backed up by gold is subject to taxation. Those
questionable tax theories could get you in big trouble with the
IRS.Virtually every tax dodge has already been tested by the IRS
and found lacking. Think long and hard before you try to avoid
paying the taxes you owe the IRS.
#4 — Phone Scams
Phone scams tend to make the rounds as the April 15 deadline gets
closer. Taxpayers will typically receive a phone call from someone
claiming to be with the IRS. The caller may request a variety of
personal information, from Social Security numbers and birth dates
to the names and birth dates of children.If you receive such a call,
take a step back and look at things logically. Do you really think
the IRS does not already know your Social Security number? Is
there any legitimate reason the tax agency would need your credit
card number?If you feel the call is suspect, ask for the caller's
phone number and offer to call them back. Chances are they will
simply hang up. If you do manage to get a callback number,
contact the police to report attempted tax fraud.
#5 — Bogus Emails
The IRS has repeatedly said it does not contact taxpayers via

3. email, yet people keep falling for this common scam. Phishing
emails claiming to come from the IRS start appearing in inboxes in
early January and continue through the April 15 tax filing
deadline.If you receive such an email, you should flag it as spam
and report it to local authorities. After you have reported the fraud
attempt, you should delete the email, since it may contain
dangerous links that could damage your computer or comprise
your identity.
#6 — Free Money from the IRS
Contrary to what you may have heard, the IRS is not giving away
free money. These free money scams are often attempts to gather
Social Security numbers, bank information and other personal
data.The thieves often set up shop in poor areas and target low
income workers and the elderly. The story is different from year to
year, but the bottom line is always the same ­ the IRS has a
program that is giving money to eligible taxpayers, and it is
important to sign up today.
#7 — Fake Charities
Giving money to charity is great, and it can even lower your tax
bill. Scam artists know that, and they use the generosity of
taxpayers to separate them from their hard­earned money.When
tax season approaches, scam artists may set up fake charities to
prey on unsuspecting taxpayers. The charity might look legitimate,
but the contribution will not be eligible for the promised tax
deduction. You can protect yourself from this common scam by
checking out all charities carefully. A number of independent
agencies keep track of charities, and they can help you sort out the
legitimate causes from the scams.