The IRS just published their 2025 list of tax scams - so many sketchy preparers out there!

Tax professional here - you're absolutely right to be concerned. Those "ghost preparers" who won't sign returns are a massive red flag. They're doing this because they don't want to be held accountable when the IRS discovers the improper credits or deductions they've claimed. Some warning signs to watch for: preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund, promise unusually large refunds without seeing your documents first, or suggest adding false information (like dependents or business expenses you don't have). The Employee Retention Credit scam is particularly rampant right now - many businesses being told they qualify when they absolutely don't. The IRS Dirty Dozen list is published annually to help taxpayers avoid these schemes. If you're looking for a legitimate preparer, check for their PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) which all paid preparers must have by law. Better yet, look for enrolled agents, CPAs, or tax attorneys who have ongoing education requirements and professional ethics standards.

After going through a nightmare with a sketchy tax preparer who promised me huge refunds (that triggered an audit!), I found an amazing resource called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helps identify potential red flags in your return before filing. It analyzes your tax documents and flags suspicious deductions or credits that might trigger IRS scrutiny. I've been using it as a second opinion before submitting my returns. It's especially good at spotting things like improper business expense allocations or questionable credits that these non-credentialed preparers often push. Saved me from making a huge mistake when I was tempted by one of those "get a bigger refund" places advertising on social media.

Wow you guys were right about taxr.ai! I was skeptical but decided to try it after reading about it here. My previous tax guy had claimed I qualified for some "special real estate professional deduction" even though I only did a few hours of property management for my parents' rental. The tool immediately flagged it as high-risk and explained that I didn't meet the 750-hour requirement to qualify. The scan also found some legitimate deductions I was missing! It explained exactly which home office expenses were legitimate for my side business versus which ones would likely trigger an audit. Super helpful with clear explanations rather than just saying "don't do this." Definitely feeling more confident about my return this year and not worrying about getting one of those scary IRS letters.

Anyone else having trouble actually reaching the IRS to report these scammers? I've been trying to call about a local place that's advertising "guaranteed $7,000 refunds" for everyone, which is obviously impossible. Been on hold for HOURS multiple times and always get disconnected. I found a service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. Was able to file a proper report about this scam operation in my neighborhood.

I need to publicly eat my words about Claimyr. After being totally suspicious, I decided to try it as a last resort after failing to reach the IRS for THREE WEEKS about a suspected identity theft situation. I was getting desperate after multiple 2+ hour hold times that ended with disconnections. Claimyr actually worked exactly as described. Got a callback when an agent was available (took about 35 minutes) and was connected directly to an IRS representative. Was able to report the suspected scammer operating in my area AND address my own identity theft concern in one call. The IRS agent even confirmed they're aware of the service and said many of their own employees recommend it to family members who need to reach the IRS quickly. Completely changed my perspective on dealing with the IRS!

Does anyone know if there's any enforcement against these ghost preparers? Like my sister used one last year who was operating out of their apartment and now she's getting letters from the IRS about her return. The preparer has literally disappeared - phone disconnected, no forwarding address.

Anyone have recommendations for legit tax software that has good fraud protection built in? I used to use an accountant but trying to save money this year. Worried about accidentally falling for one of these tax scams the IRS warns about.

Thanks for sharing this - I had no idea the IRS published an annual "Dirty Dozen" list! Just looked it up and wow, there are so many scams I wouldn't have thought to watch out for. The fake charity scams especially caught my attention since we're always getting donation requests. One thing that really stood out to me was the warning about preparers who won't provide you with a copy of your return or refuse to sign it. That seems like such an obvious red flag now but I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it before reading this thread. For anyone looking, the IRS website has a really helpful section called "How to Choose a Tax Return Preparer" that walks through all the credentials to look for. They recommend starting with the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers to find qualified professionals in your area. Definitely bookmarking that for next year!