The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the “Dirty Dozen” ranking of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution at any point during the year but especially during tax filing season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to tax return preparer fraud.

 “Tax payers should be careful and avoid falling into a trap with the Dirty Dozens,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.  “Scam artists will tempt people in-person, on-line and by e-mail with misleading promises about lost refunds and free money.  Don’t be fooled by these scams.”  Shulman is the 47^th commissioner of the IRS and his term ends November 9, 2012.  IRS Commissioners are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate for a term of up to 5 years.

 Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal prosecution.  The IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CID) works closely with the United States Department of Justice to shutdown scams and prosecutes the criminals behind them.

 The following is the Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2012:

 1.  Identity Theft

 Topping the Dirty Dozen list is identity theft.  In response to growing identity theft concerns the IRS has embarked on a comprehensive strategy that is focused on preventing, detecting and resolving identity theft cases as soon as possible.  In addition to the law-enforcement crackdown, the IRS has stepped up its internal reviews to spot false tax returns before tax refunds are issued as well as working to help victims of the identity theft refund schemes.

 Identity theft cases are among the most complex ones the IRS handles, but the agency is committed to working with taxpayers who have become victims of identity theft.

The IRS is increasingly seeing identity thieves looking for ways to use a legitimate taxpayer’s identity and personal information to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund.  Typically, identity thieves attempt to get fraudulent refunds early in the income tax filing season.

 An IRS notice informing a taxpayer that more than one return was filed in the taxpayer’s name or that the taxpayer received wages from an unknown employer may be the first tip off the individual receives that he or she has been victimized.

 The IRS has a robust screening process with measures in place to stop fraudulent returns.  While the IRS is continuing to address tax-related identity theft aggressively, the agency is also seeing an increase in identity crimes, including more complex schemes.  In 2011, the IRS protected more than $1.4 billion of taxpayer funds from getting into the wrong hands due to identity theft.

 The IRS has announced the results of a massive, national sweep cracking down on suspected identity theft perpetrators as part of a stepped-up effort against refund fraud and identity theft.  Working with the Justice Department’s Tax Division and local U.S. Attorney’s offices, the nationwide effort targeted over 100 people in 23 states.  Over 900 criminal charges were included in numerous indictments.  The IRS also visited money services businesses and check cashing operations to make sure these businesses were not facilitating identity theft. 

 Anyone who believes his or her personal information has been stolen and used for tax purposes should immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit.  For more information, visit the special identity theft page at www.IRS.gov/identitytheft.

 2.  Phishing

 Phishing is a scam typically carried out with the help of unsolicited email or a fake website that poses as a legitimate site to lure in potential victims and prompt them to provide valuable personal and financial information.  Armed with this information, a criminal can commit identity theft or financial theft.

 If you receive an unsolicited email that appears to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EETPS), report it by sending it to phishing@irs.gov.

 It is important to keep in mind the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information.  This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. 

 3.  Return Preparer Fraud

 About 60 percent of taxpayers will use tax professionals to prepare and file tax returns.  Most return preparers provide honest service to their clients.  But as in any other business, there are also some who prey on unsuspecting taxpayers.

 Questionable return preparers have been known to skim off their clients’ refunds, charge inflated fees for return preparation services and attract new clients by promising guaranteed or inflated refunds.  Taxpayers should choose carefully when hiring a tax preparer.  Federal courts have issued hundreds of injunctions ordering individuals to cease preparing returns, and the Department of Justice has pending complaints against many others.

 Every paid preparer need to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and enter it on the returns he or she prepares.

 Signals to watch for when you are dealing with an unscrupulous return preparer would include that they:

 

• Do not sign the return or place a Preparer Tax identification Number on it.
• Do not give you a copy of your tax return.
• Promise larger than normal tax refunds.
• Charge a percentage of the refund amount as preparation fee.
• Require you to split the refund to pay the preparation fee.
• Add forms to the return you have never filed before.
• Encourage you to place false information on your return, such as false income, expenses and/or credits.

 

For advice on how to find a competent tax professional, see Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer on the IRS website.

 4.  Hiding Income Offshore

 Over the years, numerous individuals have been identified as evading U.S. taxes by hiding income in offshore banks, brokerage accounts or nominee entities, using debit cards, credit cards or wire transfers to access the funds.  Others have employed foreign trusts, employee-leasing schemes, private annuities or insurance plans for the same purpose.

 The IRS uses information gained from its investigations to pursue taxpayers with undeclared accounts, as well as the banks and bankers suspected of helping clients hide their assets overseas.  The IRS works closely with the Department of Justice to prosecute tax evasion cases.

 While there are legitimate reasons for maintaining financial accounts abroad, there are reporting requirements that need to be fulfilled.  U.S. taxpayers who maintain such accounts and who do not comply with reporting and disclosure requirements are breaking the law and risk significant penalties and fines as well as the possibility of criminal prosecution.

 Since 2009, 30,000 individuals have come forward voluntarily to disclose their foreign financial accounts, taking advantage of special opportunities to bring their money back into the U.S. tax system and resolve their tax obligations.  And, with new foreign account reporting requirements being phased in over the next few years, hiding income offshore will become increasingly more difficult.

 5.  “Free Money” from the IRS & Tax Scams Involving Social Security

 Flyers and advertisements for free money from the IRS, suggesting that the taxpayer can file a tax return with little or no documentation, have been appearing in community churches around the country.  These schemes are also often spread by word of mouth as unsuspecting and well-intentioned people tell their friends and relatives.

 Scammers prey on low income individuals and the elderly.  They build false hopes and charge people good money for bad advice.  In the end, the victims discover their claims are rejected.  Meanwhile, the promoters are long gone. The IRS warns all taxpayers to remain vigilant.

 There are a number of tax scams involving Social Security.  For example, scammers have been known to lure the unsuspecting with promises of non-existent Social Security refunds or rebates.  In another situation, a taxpayer may really be due a credit or refund but uses inflated information to complete the return.

 Beware.  Intentional mistakes of this kind can result in a $5,000 penalty.

 

6.  False/Inflated Income and Expenses

 Including income that was never earned, either as wages or as self-employment income in order to maximize refundable credits, is another popular scam.  Claiming income you did not earn or expenses you did not pay in order to secure larger refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit could have serious repercussions.  This could result in repaying the erroneous refunds, including interest and penalties, and in some cases, even prosecution.

 Additionally, some taxpayers are filing excessive claims for the fuel tax credit.  Farmers and other taxpayers who use fuel for off-highway business purposes may be eligible for the fuel tax credit.  But other individuals have claimed the tax credit when their occupations or income levels make the claims unreasonable.  Fraud involving the fuel tax credit is considered a frivolous tax claim and can result in a penalty of $5,000.

 

7.  False Form 1099 Refund Claims

 In this ongoing scam, the perpetrator files a fake information return, such as a Form 1099 Original Issue Discount (OID), to justify a false refund claim on a corresponding tax return.  In some cases, individuals have made refund claims based on the bogus theory that the federal government maintains secret accounts for U.S. citizens and that taxpayers can gain access to the accounts by issuing 1099-OID forms to the IRS.

 Don’t fall prey to people who encourage you to claim deductions or credits to which you are not entitled or willingly allow others to use your information to file false returns.  If you are a party to such schemes, you could be liable for financial penalties or even face criminal prosecution.

 

8.  Frivolous Arguments

 Promoters of frivolous schemes encourage taxpayers to make unreasonable and outlandish claims to avoid paying the taxes they owe.  While taxpayers have the right to contest their tax liabilities in court, no one has the right to disobey the law.  Some of these schemes are:

 

1. The filing of a tax return or payment of tax is voluntary
2. Wages for personal services are not income
3. Taxpayer is not a citizen of the United States, thus not subject to Income Tax laws
4. Taxpayers can refuse to pay income taxes on religious grounds by invoking the first amendment

 These arguments are false and have been thrown out of court.

 9.  Falsely Claiming Zero Wages

 Filing a phony information return is an illegal way to lower the amount of taxes an individual owes.  Typically, a Form 4852 (Substitute Form W-2) or a “corrected” Form 1099 is used as a way to improperly reduce taxable income to zero.  The taxpayer may also submit a statement rebutting wages and taxes reported by a payer to the IRS.

 Sometimes, fraudsters even include an explanation on their Form 4852 that cites statutory language on the definition of wages or may include some reference to a paying company that refuses to issue a corrected Form W-2 for fear of IRS retaliation.  Taxpayers should resist any temptation to participate in any variations of this scheme.  Filing this type of return may result in a $5,000 penalty.

 10.  Abuse of Charitable Organizations and Deductions

 IRS examiners continue to uncover the intentional abuse of 501 (c) (3) organizations, including arrangements that improperly shield income or assets from taxations and attempts by donors to maintain control over donated assets or the income from donated property.  The IRS is investigating schemes that involve the donation of non-cash assets – including situations in which several organizations claim the full value of the same non-cash contribution.  Often these donations are highly overvalued or the organization receiving the donation promises that the donor can repurchase the items later at a price set by the donor.  The Pension Protection Act of 2006 imposed increased penalties for inaccurate appraisals and set new standards for qualified appraisals. 

 11.  Disguised Corporate Ownership

 Third parties are improperly used to request employer identification numbers and form corporations that obscure the true ownership of business.

 These entities can be used to underreport income, claim fictitious deductions, avoid filing tax returns, participate in listed transactions and facilitate money laundering, and financial crimes.  The IRS is working with state authorities to identify theses entities and bring the owner into compliance with the law.

 12.  Misuse of Trusts

 For years, unscrupulous promoters have urged taxpayers to transfer assets into trusts.  While there are legitimate uses of trusts in tax and estate planning, some highly questionable transactions promise reduction of income subject to tax, deductions for personal expenses and reduced estate or gift taxes.  Such trusts rarely deliver the tax benefits promised and are used primarily as a means of avoiding income tax liability and hiding assets from creditors, including the IRS.

 IRS personnel have seen an increase in the improper use of private annuity trusts and foreign trusts to shift income and deduct personal expenses.  As with other arrangements, taxpayers should seek the advice of a trusted professional before entering a trust arrangement. 

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

There were over 142,000,000 individual income tax returns filed regarding the year 2010 (most recent data available).  Most of those income tax returns were electronically filed.  The 142 million tax returns represented a 12% increase in tax returns filed compared to the year 1999.  Although the electronic filing helps the IRS with the increase in volume, it presents other challenges for the IRS as noted in this article. 

 

Please consult with your tax advisor before acting on these or any income tax topics.  Your tax advisor can ensure you receive the maximum tax benefits considering your filing status, income tax rates, etc.  You can also visit the Internal Revenue Service website http://www.irs.gov/ for more information on these issues.

 

Thomas L. Broderick is the Treasurer of Pickens-Kane Moving & Storage Co. in Chicago, Illinois.  He is a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.), Chartered Global Management Accountant (C.G.M.A.), holds Federal Securities Licenses #6, #63, and #65 and holds an Illinois Insurance License.  He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Risk Management Trust from 1996 to 2012.  He has also served as president of the West Central Association Chamber of Commerce for the years 2007 through 2009.  In 2012, he was named the chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council at St. John Fisher Parish in Chicago.  Many individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations consult him for various accounting, investment, insurance and tax issues.

 

Note 1:  CCH Federal Tax Weekly was used as a resource for this article.

 

Note 2:  Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department notice dated 02/16/2012 was used as a resource for this article.

 

Revised: October 19, 2012