Top Tax Scams of 2017

Have you filed your 2017 federal and state taxes yet? Whether the answer is yes or no, you have to be careful when you receive messages from people who claim to be the IRS.

Let's look at some tax scams that could possibly trick you into thinking you are dealing with the IRS when you are actually not.

1. Identity Theft - Be protective of your personal information especially social security or tax identification number because people could steal them to claim the refund ahead of you.

2. Phishing - Do not click on links sent from someone who disguise as the IRS. These link will direct you to a false website to make you enter vital information or simply steal it from your computer.

3. Phone Scams - People pretend to be the IRS agent and threaten you if you do not pay taxes over the phone.

4. Preparation Fraud - Once you sign and file the return, you are responsible for any errors made by prepares who intentionally ignore or bend some tax rules in order to get the highest refund. Because the higher your refund is, the more they will benefit from.

5. Offshore Tax Avoidance - If you caught hiding money in your offshore accounts, you will have to pay several penalties.