IRS News:

PHOENIX – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues its list of “Dirty Dozen” tax scams annually around the beginning of the tax filing season.

This year for the first time, the IRS will issue the individual Dirty Dozen scams during the next 12 business days to further raise consumer awareness.

The news releases will be available on IRS.gov each day, beginning today through Feb. 6.

Tax scams can happen any time during the year but frequently spike during tax time when people are working to complete and file their returns, and frequently hiring someone else to help them.

“We are doing everything we can to help taxpayers avoid scams as tax time gets under way,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “We are focusing on each of the Dirty Dozen individually this year to draw more attention to these scams that can harm people.”

Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest, as well as possible criminal prosecution. IRS Criminal Investigation works closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to shutdown cams and prosecute the criminals behind them. Taxpayers should remember that they are legally responsible for what is on their tax returns even if it is prepared by someone else. Make sure the preparer you hire is up to the task.