NOTARY PUBLICS AND TAX FRAUD NOTARIO FRAUD TASK
NOTARY PUBLICS AND TAX FRAUD NOTARIO FRAUD TASK FORCE
WHAT IS A NOTARY PUBLIC? • A notary public is state government representative and is charged with verifying your identity as the signer on a variety of documents. • Any person can become a notary public. • Becoming a notary public does not require extensive training.
WHAT ARE NOTARIES AUTHORIZED TO DO? • Make affidavits • Witness signatures • Take depositions • Administer oaths • Copy certifications
WHAT ARE NOTARIES NOT AUTHORIZED TO DO? • A notary, or notary public, is NOT an attorney. • A notary public CANNOT give legal advice, draft legal papers, or review documents for legality. •
WHAT IS A TAX PREPARER? A legitimate tax preparer is an individual who prepares tax documents on your behalf. A legitimate tax preparer is authorized by the IRS to fill out tax documents and has a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE: NOTARY VS TAX PREPARER? Notary Authorized Tax Preparer Legitimate Tax Preparers are Notaries are NOT authorized to authorized by the IRS to fill out provide legal advice, fill out tax documents on your behalf, legal documents on your behalf, and have specific knowledge or prepare your taxes on your concerning tax preparation and behalf. code.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A LEGITIMATE TAX PREPARER? • A clear fee schedule • Copies of all documents submitted to the IRS on your behalf • Understand how to terminate the legal relationship if you feel unsure of proceeding with a paid tax preparer
SIGNS OF FRAUD • Did not have a PTIN, or valid 2016 preparer tax identification number • Asked you to pay a health insurance penalty directly to them • Promised a higher refund • Requested that you sign a blank return • Suggested that you direct deposit your refund into an account that isn’t yours
SIGNS OF FRAUD • Charged fees based on a percentage of your refund • Stated that they have any kind of special relationship with IRS • Did not offer electronic filing • Offered to use your last pay stub instead of your W-2
HOW TO FIND A LEGITIMATE TAX PREPARER? Verify the PTINs and professional credentials of your preparer on the IRS website, or search for an authorized preparer by inputting your zip code: https: //irs. treasury. gov/rpo. jsf
REMEMBER, when the IRS detects the false return, as the taxpayer, YOU are responsible to pay any additional taxes, interest, and penalties, NOT THE PREPARER.
HOW TO TAKE ACTION FOR VICTIMS OF FRAUD If you have been the victim of Tax Fraud in the past, you can find a Low Income Tax Center (LITC) that may be able to help you fix and file your tax returns.
VITAS IN HOUSTON Baker. Ripley VN Team. Network 6500 Rookin St, Bldg. C Houston, TX 77074 713 -957 -4357 10 am – 2 pm 11210 Bellaire Blvd Ste. 118 Houston, TX 77072 281 -495 -8936 10 am – 2 pm
LITCS IN HOUSTON Houston College Lone Star Legal Aid of Law LITC 1 -800 -646 -1253 713 -646 -2990 1 -800 -733 -8394 713 -652 -0077 taxclinic@hcl. edu www. lonestarlegal. org Houston Volunteer Lawyers LITC 713 -228 -0735 www. makejustice happen. org
HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT Contact the Texas Attorney General’s Office at 1 -800 -252 -8011 or 512 -463 -2100. https: //www. oag. state. tx. us/forms/cpd/form. php Fill out Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer https: //www. irs. gov/taxprofessionals/make-a-complaint-about-atax-return-preparer.
HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas https: //www. bbb. org/consumercomplaints/file-a-complaint/get-started • Federal Trade Commission, www. ftccomplaintassistant. gov
HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT To get help on filing a complaint, call Lone Star Legal Aid: (713) 652 -0077
QUESTIONS?
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