January 24 through April 18 is federal tax filing season, and the IRS warns it could get a bit rough. Your Better Business Bureau (BBB) urges taxpayers to file as early as possible, especially if you’re expecting a refund. Early-filing reduces the odds that a scammer will beat you to the punch, having stolen your identity, and then stealing a refund. The result of that could be a monumental headache for you as you go through the painstaking and lengthy process of trying to correct your standing with the IRS.
Staffing shortages combined with pandemic-related increased workloads have added to the agency’s backlog. The result is an enhanced likelihood that your taxes will be processed at a slower pace this year. For those who file their returns electronically, which the IRS urges, the expectation is that a refund will be delivered within 21 days.
“You can set your clock to IRS scams happening around this time of year,” said BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty. “It’s imperative that we stay vigilant of these scams and the damage they create in our communities.”
There are steps you can take to lower the odds that you’ll be victimized by a tax fraudster. BBB suggests:
- Check and double check the forms sent from employers to make sure information is accurate. Potential trouble-causers include a misspelled name or an incorrect Social…
