IRS Announces The 2021 Dirty Dozen List Of Tax Schemes

Every year, the IRS announces its list of common tax schemes that it has encountered and is focusing its efforts on enforcing. This year, the tax agency created four categories for its usual “Dirty Dozen,” including:

 
The IRS announced the specific tax schemes in each of these categories over several days at the end of June and beginning of July. The announcement puts taxpayers on notice that if they have been involved in any of these schemes, or if they are uncertain if they have been reporting their taxes properly, they should take action now by calling an experienced Phoenix tax attorney to become compliant.

Pandemic-Related Scams

 
The IRS has identified two common scams related to the pandemic. The first involves people trying to steal economic impact payments. The IRS has warned taxpayers to beware of any text messages, phone calls, emails, or letters that might ask about bank data or might invite taxpayers to go to a link to get more information about the payment. Taxpayers are also warned to check mail frequently to minimize the risk of someone stealing a paper check, as well as to beware of sharing personal information such as social security numbers.
 
The other common tax scheme related to the pandemic involves businesses filing fraudulent unemployment claims. Some businesses are using personal information to claim unemployment expenses. Taxpayers are warned to be on the lookout for 1099-G forms reporting unemployment compensation that they didn’t receive.
 

Personal Information Scams

 
Scams attempting to get personal information from taxpayers continue, as do scams targeting tax professionals. The IRS says that there has been a rise in tax professionals receiving emails about e-filing in an effort to steal Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs) and Centralized Authorizations File (CAF) numbers. There has also been a rise in scammers sending tax professionals emails asking if they are taking on new clients and then sending a corrupted attachment or link that is supposed to go to their tax documents. Instead, the tax professional gets a virus on their computer or the scammer uses the link to collect sensitive information.
 
Phishing scams targeted at taxpayers continue, as well. The IRS warns taxpayers not to click on links sent by email or to share personal information with anyone who calls or texts pretending to be an agent with the IRS. The agency reminds taxpayers that official communications usually are sent by mail, not by email or phone. If the IRS is asking for payment, it will direct taxpayers to the website or provide a payment address that can be verified online. IRS agents will never ask for personal or financial information by email or text.
 

Ruses Focusing On Unsuspecting Victims

 
Many scams are designed to take advantage of vulnerable or unsuspecting people, such as immigrants and the elderly. For example, a scammer might call an immigrant and claim to be an IRS agent and threaten deportation if taxes are not paid. The IRS reminds taxpayers, as above, that contact will usually come through mail, and that agents will not ask for personal or financial information.
 
Other scams targeting unsuspecting people including fake charities, offer in compromise mills, unemployment insurance fraud, and unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS warns taxpayers that scammers can set up fake charities to avoid tax obligations. Offer in compromise mills involve charging people hundreds or thousands of dollars for fake or inflated promises of being able to get them an offer in compromise from the IRS for their tax debt. Always go to a reputable and experienced Phoenix tax attorney to work out an offer in compromise or other negotiation.
 

Scams Involving Abusive Structures

 
The IRS identified several scams involving abusive structures, including: