Today TaxMama® hears from Tasha with a disturbing problem. “My girlfriend is thinking of filing for an education tax credit even though she is not enrolled in school at the moment. She says the person doing her taxes can issue a 1098T form if and when the IRS was to ask for proof, which will show she was enrolled in school. My concern is this can come back to bite her, hard.”
Hi Tasha,
I don’t know if this is a common scam. But it IS illegal.
The IRS will not be looking for the phony copy of the Form 1098-T that this person prepares. The IRS computers will be cross-referencing for a real one, issued by a school. (Besides, how much do you want to bet this tax person won’t be around to provide the fake 1098-T when your friend needs it?)
Your young friend doesn’t need this kind of grief so early in life.
Your friend should not be working with a tax professional who behaves this way. In fact, consider reporting her. The IRS is actively investigating tax preparers who abuse the system. Do you want to see the recent batch of successful prosecutions? And if you think the IRS went after the tax pros, what do you think happened to their clients? Every single one was audited.
I receive calls regularly from people who are facing audit because their tax preparer is being investigated, or has been arrested.
And remember, you can find answers to all kinds of questions about filing abuses, and other tax and business issues, free. Where? Where else? At www.TaxMama.com.
[Note: If you were subscribed to the e-mailed version of TaxQuips, you’d be getting other exciting news and tips by e-mail, that never appear on the site. Please click on the join TaxMama.com link – it’s free!]Please post all Comments and Replies in the new TaxQuips Forum .
