How Your CPA Can Help You Avoid Tax Scams

Whether your realize it or not, throughout the year, your company is at risk of several types of scams, including financial scams, tax scams, non-profit scams and even identity fraud scams. Despite this veritable avalanche of fraudulent activity, there are ways that your CPA can help you avoid tax scams at no extra cost to you. Here are three of these ways:

Here are three of these ways:

Your CPA Can Encourage You to File Early

Those who generally wait until the last minute to file their taxes are at more risk being scammed than any other group. This is often because those who are scamming you will file early in the hope of obtaining your refund before you do. The sooner you file each year, the greater are your chances of being able to avoid tax scams.

Help You Watch Out For Phishing

Taxpayers should always be on the lookout for potentially fraudulent or fake emails which are created specifically to steal your information.  One important note to always remember is that the IRS will never contact you via email. When in doubt, always pick up your phone and call the IRS directly.

Discourage the Use of Non-Certified Preparers

There are lots of dishonest tax preparers who are readily available throughout tax season to provide assistance to you. These dishonest preparers usually work to steal your identity or steal your refund, and if you’re not careful, they could put you at risk for other fraudulent behavior.

Has your CPA worked with you in other ways to help you avoid tax scams? We want to hear all about it. Leave your comments below.

Image credit: Alachua County