Two years ago we addressed the IRS’s flawed refund procedure in False Refund Schemes and Backwards IRS Return Processing Rules. Today, Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald gives a distressing update in Scammers Steal IRS Refunds with Ease: “We are seeing defendants once involved in other types of crimes [such as drug trafficking] getting involved in identity-theft schemes, [...]
Tags: Individual Taxation · IRS procedure · News · Tax Crimes
Blake Ellis of CNNMoney writes about a woman who fraudulently claimed 20 child dependents on her income tax return: Tax fraudsters are getting more creative — and, in some cases, more daring. But the IRS is making it harder for them to get away with their tricks. Late last week, a Los Angeles woman pleaded guilty [...]
Tags: Individual Taxation · News · Tax Crimes
The IRS graciously gives taxpayers the following tips for how to choose a tax preparer: If you pay someone to prepare your tax return, the IRS urges you to choose that preparer wisely. Taxpayers are legally responsible for what’s on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else. So, it is important to choose carefully [...]
Tags: Individual Taxation · Tax Tips
Taxpayers living abroad must file their 2010 tax returns by June 15, 2011. And individuals owning an interest in a foreign account must file form TD F 90.22-1 by June 30, 2011 or face steep penalties: June 15 Tax Deadline Nears for Americans Abroad; Don’t Forget to Report Foreign Accounts IR-2011-66, June 10, 2011 WASHINGTON [...]
Tags: Announcements · Individual Taxation · International Taxation · voluntary disclosure
Carmen Nobel of Harvard Business School’s blog Working Knowledge writes in Signing at the Top: The Key to Preventing Tax Fraud: [M]any taxpayers give in to the temptation to cheat on their taxes—in spite of the requirement for them to sign a statement declaring that the information on the form is “true, correct, and complete.” [...]
Tags: Individual Taxation · Tax Crimes
The House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held hearings yesterday on IRS E-File Identity Theft. For you masochists out there, below is the entire eight hours of testimony and obligatory self-serving statements of congressmen: Bookmark & Share:
Tags: Individual Taxation · IRS procedure · Legislative Watch
From Paul Caron: An organization called Refuse to Lie is recommending that gay couples whose marriages are recognized under state law but not for federal tax purposes because of the Defense of Marriage Act file their federal tax returns as single taxpayers but attach this disclaimer (detailed tax memo here): Attachment to Federal Tax Return Affirming Marriage The [...]
Tags: Individual Taxation
