By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
There is just over a month until the clock on the tax filing deadline strikes.
As you file your taxes, officials with the IRS want everyone to be aware of criminals trying to steal from you.
IRS Spokesman Cesar Yabor says there are two common types of scams that pop up during tax filing season
"The kind where the nefarious individual is looking to steal your personal and banking information and then the other kind where the nefarious individual is actually trying to steal your refund," Yabor tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Yabor says a common scam pertains to tax credits given out during the coronavirus pandemic, even now a year after the COVID period.
"There are folks that are still being victimized by nefarious individuals promising tax credits or the out of not having to pay back any kind of debt to the government that was loaned to a small business owner for example during the COVID period," Yabor explains.
Yabor reminds everyone that if you receive an email or text claiming to be from the IRS to not give any information. The only way the IRS will contact you is by phone or mail.
Another scam involves people helping individuals prepare taxes to be filed. If you go to a tax preparer, Yabor says there's one big red flag to watch for.
"Tax professionals who seem to make promises that are to good to be true, that in your gut you feel is to good to be true," Yabor says.
Yabor says you can find a verified list of tax professionals on the IRS website. The tax filing deadline is on April 15th.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.