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Mar. 14th, 2008 04:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ymarkovPhishing Scams, Frivolous Arguments Top the 2008 “Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams
IR-2008-41, March 13, 2008
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued its 2008 list of the 12 most egregious tax schemes and scams, highlighted by Internet phishing scams and several frivolous tax arguments.
Topping this year’s list of scams is phishing, which encompasses numerous Internet-based ploys to steal financial information from taxpayers. New to the “Dirty Dozen” this year is a scheme, which IRS auditors discovered, that relates to unreasonable and/or excessive fuel tax credit claims.
“Taxpayers should be wary of scams and promises to avoid paying taxes that seem too good to be true,” Acting IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff said. “There is no secret formula that can eliminate a person’s tax obligations. People should be wary of anyone peddling any of these scams.”
Tax schemes can lead to problems for both scam artists and taxpayers. Tax return preparers and promoters also risk significant penalties, interest and possible criminal prosecution.
The IRS urges taxpayers to avoid these common schemes:
[condensed list; see link for full article]
1. Phishing
2. Scams Related to the Economic Stimulus Payment
Some scam artists are trying to trick individuals into revealing personal financial information that can be used to access their financial accounts by making promises relating to the economic stimulus payment, often called a “rebate.” To obtain the payment, eligible individuals in most cases will not have to do anything more than file a 2007 federal tax return. [...]
3. Frivolous Arguments
[...] The complete list of frivolous arguments is on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov.
4. Fuel Tax Credit Scams
5. Hiding Income Offshore
6. Abusive Retirement Plans
7. Zero Wages
8. False Claims for Refund and Requests for Abatement
9. Return Preparer Fraud
10. Disguised Corporate Ownership
11. Misuse of Trusts
12. Abuse of Charitable Organizations and Deductions
The IRS continues to observe the misuse of tax-exempt organizations. Misuse includes arrangements to improperly shield income or assets from taxation, attempts by donors to maintain control over donated assets or income from donated property and overvaluation of contributed property. In addition, IRS examiners are seeing an upturn in instances where taxpayers try to disguise private tuition payments as contributions to charitable or religious organizations.
IR-2008-41, March 13, 2008
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued its 2008 list of the 12 most egregious tax schemes and scams, highlighted by Internet phishing scams and several frivolous tax arguments.
Topping this year’s list of scams is phishing, which encompasses numerous Internet-based ploys to steal financial information from taxpayers. New to the “Dirty Dozen” this year is a scheme, which IRS auditors discovered, that relates to unreasonable and/or excessive fuel tax credit claims.
“Taxpayers should be wary of scams and promises to avoid paying taxes that seem too good to be true,” Acting IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff said. “There is no secret formula that can eliminate a person’s tax obligations. People should be wary of anyone peddling any of these scams.”
Tax schemes can lead to problems for both scam artists and taxpayers. Tax return preparers and promoters also risk significant penalties, interest and possible criminal prosecution.
The IRS urges taxpayers to avoid these common schemes:
[condensed list; see link for full article]
1. Phishing
2. Scams Related to the Economic Stimulus Payment
Some scam artists are trying to trick individuals into revealing personal financial information that can be used to access their financial accounts by making promises relating to the economic stimulus payment, often called a “rebate.” To obtain the payment, eligible individuals in most cases will not have to do anything more than file a 2007 federal tax return. [...]
3. Frivolous Arguments
[...] The complete list of frivolous arguments is on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov.
4. Fuel Tax Credit Scams
5. Hiding Income Offshore
6. Abusive Retirement Plans
7. Zero Wages
8. False Claims for Refund and Requests for Abatement
9. Return Preparer Fraud
10. Disguised Corporate Ownership
11. Misuse of Trusts
12. Abuse of Charitable Organizations and Deductions
The IRS continues to observe the misuse of tax-exempt organizations. Misuse includes arrangements to improperly shield income or assets from taxation, attempts by donors to maintain control over donated assets or income from donated property and overvaluation of contributed property. In addition, IRS examiners are seeing an upturn in instances where taxpayers try to disguise private tuition payments as contributions to charitable or religious organizations.
