The IRS has issued a reminder encouraging taxpayers to carefully select a tax return professional, pointing out that incorrect or fraudulent filings can result in severe penalties. The authority warns about “ghost” preparers who fail to sign tax returns they assist with and suggests using federally recognized professionals. To help taxpayers make an informed choice, the IRS provides a directory of trusted tax return preparers and recommends validating their Preparer Tax Identification Number. In addition, the IRS advises taxpayers to steer clear of preparers who base their fees on refund size and always review the completed return before signing.
