CAUTION: DON'T LET TAX FRAUD HAPPEN TO YOU!
Dear Reader,
In my tax office, I have corrected dozens and dozens of errors created mainly by Liberty Tax, H&R Block, Aurora, and unnamed and unregistered Facebook preparers. Because most tax preparation offices usually see US resident taxpayers, their training does not extend beyond a simple resident tax return; non-residents and complex filers beware!
According to the IRS, filing a bad tax return can lead to several consequences including;
Criminal Tax Fraud - up to 5 years in prison and $100,000 in fines
Loss of Tax Treaty Status for non-residents
Affect your ability to renew your VISA (if a non-resident)
Affect your ability to claim certain credits for many years to come (like the Earned Income Credit or Child Tax Credit)
Additional reporting each year for people who are not allowed certain credits
Problems with USCIS
Correcting a tax return involves additional paperwork, usually mailing a larger packet of paperwork. Because of the Corona-virus pandemic, the IRS continues to work at a very limited capacity and this increases the time to process your return. A corrected tax refund could take up to 9 months to arrive. Not only that, but you will incur additional fees for preparation and penalties from IRS.
A few tips for picking the right tax preparer:
If you suspect that your preparer doesn't know, he/she probably doesn't know.
Ask if he/she is registered with the IRS and has a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
Ask to see the PTIN card and letter from the IRS.
Ask if they are enrolled in the IRS E-FILE program (ERO). A professional preparer must E-FILE your return.
YOUR RETURN SHOULD NOT BE PAPER MAILED, ESPECIALLY DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC UNLESS REQUIRED.
Ask if they are using professional tax software.
Turbotax is not a professional software and is illegal for paid preparers to use.
Don't let them file you as Single if you are Married or Married if Single.
Don't take credits that you shouldn't.
Don't let fraud happen to you!
Stay safe and happy hunting for your correct tax preparer.
Respectfully,
Jonathan Molina
In my tax office, I have corrected dozens and dozens of errors created mainly by Liberty Tax, H&R Block, Aurora, and unnamed and unregistered Facebook preparers. Because most tax preparation offices usually see US resident taxpayers, their training does not extend beyond a simple resident tax return; non-residents and complex filers beware!
According to the IRS, filing a bad tax return can lead to several consequences including;
Criminal Tax Fraud - up to 5 years in prison and $100,000 in fines
Loss of Tax Treaty Status for non-residents
Affect your ability to renew your VISA (if a non-resident)
Affect your ability to claim certain credits for many years to come (like the Earned Income Credit or Child Tax Credit)
Additional reporting each year for people who are not allowed certain credits
Problems with USCIS
Correcting a tax return involves additional paperwork, usually mailing a larger packet of paperwork. Because of the Corona-virus pandemic, the IRS continues to work at a very limited capacity and this increases the time to process your return. A corrected tax refund could take up to 9 months to arrive. Not only that, but you will incur additional fees for preparation and penalties from IRS.
A few tips for picking the right tax preparer:
If you suspect that your preparer doesn't know, he/she probably doesn't know.
Ask if he/she is registered with the IRS and has a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
Ask to see the PTIN card and letter from the IRS.
Ask if they are enrolled in the IRS E-FILE program (ERO). A professional preparer must E-FILE your return.
YOUR RETURN SHOULD NOT BE PAPER MAILED, ESPECIALLY DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC UNLESS REQUIRED.
Ask if they are using professional tax software.
Turbotax is not a professional software and is illegal for paid preparers to use.
Don't let them file you as Single if you are Married or Married if Single.
Don't take credits that you shouldn't.
Don't let fraud happen to you!
Stay safe and happy hunting for your correct tax preparer.
Respectfully,
Jonathan Molina