IRS urges you to choose tax preparers carefully

IR-2025-19, Jan. 30, 2025*

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today provided taxpayers with six tips to make filing their 2024 tax return easier.

Taxpayers should follow these handy suggestions as they prepare to file:

1. Gather all important and necessary tax paperwork and records needed for filing a complete and accurate tax return. Errors and omissions can lead to missing a deduction or credit and slow down tax return processing and refunds.

   Before filing, taxpayers should have their: 

   • Social Security numbers for everyone listed on the tax return. 
   • Bank account and routing numbers. 
   • Tax forms such as W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, records of digital asset transactions and other income documents. 
   • Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace statement. 
   • IRS letters they may have citing an amount received for a certain tax deduction or credit. 
2. Report all types of income on the tax return to avoid receiving a notice or a bill from the IRS. Include income from:
   • Goods created and sold on online platforms. 
   • Investment income. 
   • Part-time or seasonal work. 
   • Self-employment or other business activities. 
   • Services provided and paid through mobile apps. 
3. Avoid paper returns. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the fastest way to get a refund. Plus, tax software helps taxpayers avoid mistakes. It does the math and guides people through each section of their tax return. 
4. Choose tax filing options based on personal situation and comfort level with tax preparation
   • Personally file taxes. 
   • Use online filing services. 
   • Hire a tax professional and choose carefully. Most tax return preparers are professional, honest and provide excellent service to their clients. However, dishonest tax return preparers who file false income tax returns do exist. The IRS has a Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications and more on choosing a tax pro on IRS.gov.

Report fraudulent activity and scams

The IRS highly encourages people to report tax return preparers who deliberately prepare improper returns and any activity that promotes improper and abusive tax schemes.

To report an abusive tax scheme or a tax return preparer, people should use the online Form 14242 – Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers, or mail or fax a completed Form 14242 PDF and any supporting material to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations.

Mail:

Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center
Stop MS5040
24000 Avila Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-3405
Fax: 877-477-9135

Taxpayers can also report preparer misconduct using Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer PDF. If a taxpayer suspects a preparer filed or changed their tax return without their consent, they should file Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit PDF.

Alternatively, taxpayers and tax practitioners may send the information to the IRS Whistleblower Office for possible monetary award.

*Reprinted from IRS website.