Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts - IRS Impersonation Telephone Scam

IRS.gov - An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, has been making the rounds throughout the country. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. 

Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.

Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information. 

If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” callback request.

Note that the IRS will never: 1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill; 2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; 3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card; 4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or 5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

For more details on this ongoing scam see:

Six IRS Tips for Year-End Gifts to Charity

 Many people give to charity each year during the holiday season. Remember, if you want to claim a tax deduction for your gifts, you must itemize your deductions. There are several tax rules that you should know about before you give. Here are six tips from the IRS that you should keep in mind:

1. Qualified charities. You can only deduct gifts you give to qualified charities. Use the IRS Select Check tool to see if the group you give to is qualified. Remember that you can deduct donations you give to churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies. This is true even if Select Check does not list them in its database.

In 2015, Various Tax Benefits Increase Due to Inflation Adjustments

WASHINGTON — For tax year 2015, the Internal Revenue Service announced today annual inflation adjustments for more than 40 tax provisions, including the tax rate schedules, and other tax changes. Revenue Procedure 2014-61 provides details about these annual adjustments.
The tax items for tax year 2015 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the following dollar amounts -

LEARN 2 EARN | We're HIRING.!

Are you looking for a fun, optimistic work environment? Flexible Hours? Extra Cash? Do you want to learn how to prepare income tax returns? If you answered YES to these questions we have a great opportunity for you! We are excited to announce that our office is now seeking career- minded candidates for Tax Preparers. With multiple locations in the Metro-Detroit area, we have several openings to fill. Experience is not necessary, we will train. Become a member of our dynamic team of professionals.

Job Title: Income Tax Preparer

Location: Multiple locations within Metro Detroit MI

Benefits: No

Education: High School

Shift: Monday – Sunday

Hours/Week: 20-40

Contractual: 01/02/2015-04/17/2015

Work Hours: Work to be scheduled Monday through Sundays with specific hours to be determined by office needs. Availability must include working evenings, weekends and multiple locations.

Scope: Responsible of providing quality services and preparing tax returns at assigned tax sites for eligible taxpayers and uphold the highest of ethical standards.

Preferred Skills:

• High School Diploma or equivalent AND/OR 1 year experience in tax preparation and working with the public.
• Obtain the IRS Tax Preparer Certification.
• Complete all REQUIRED training through the IRS & in office course
• Ability to use database and spreadsheet software (Excel) in a Windows and Goggle environment.
• Ability to use office equipment including a computer, printer, scanner copy machine, and fax machine.
• Ability to empathize and communicate with those persons facing economic, social, health, age, and educational barriers in a diverse community.
• Ability to use sound judgment and initiative to analyze and resolve problems; and work independently with minimum of supervision.
• Ability to collect data as directed by supervisor.
• Ability to carry equipment and material to various tax sites.
• Ability to organize a variety of simultaneous activities with attention to detail and timeliness.
• Ability to carry out oral and written instructions and work with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• Ability to empathize and communicate with those persons facing barriers.
• Good interpersonal and professional skills including but not limited to professional appearance, tact, punctuality, communication, and dependability.