With tax season now in full swing, people everywhere are starting to make an effort to file their taxes. Whether you’re filing yourself or taking your information to a professional to make sure that you don’t miss anything, the whole process can sometimes feel incredibly stressful.
Are you going to owe money? Will you be lucky enough to get a refund? Did you double check to make sure that everything is filled out properly?
With tax fraud on the rise, today’s blog will focus on a few tips you can follow to minimize the chances that something will go wrong. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, keep these tips in mind.
Protect Yourself By…
Filing Early
It is said time and time again that one of the best things you can do to avoid the ever-growing problem of tax fraud, you should file your tax return as early as possible. At this point, you should have all of the information you need to file your taxes. Regardless of whether you’re filing yourself or having a professional prepare your tax return for you, it’s always going to be in your best interest to get the process started as soon as you are able to.
Utilizing Your Pin
If you’ve been a victim of identity theft or a falsified tax return in the past, you know just how frustrating of an experience it can be. There’s nothing worse than going to file your taxes and getting a notification that someone has already filed a return in your name. It’s an event that leaves you feeling helpless, but the good news is that from now on, you will receive an identity protection pin from the IRS.
One thing to know is that this number changes every year, so be sure to keep an eye out for it early on during tax season because you will need it when you go to file your taxes. Although experiencing tax fraud isn’t something anyone wants, the good news is that you know have an extra layer of protection.
Knowing How to File
Sure, you could fill out your tax return by hand and mail it in to the IRS, opting to receive your check in the mail. In this day and age, however, things are much easier than that. Filing your refund electronically ensures that the IRS receives it, relieving you of some of the worry that often goes with sending your taxes off in the mail. You should also opt to have your refund direct deposited into your account. Once everything has been filed with the IRS, keep your return for your records for at least five years. Hopefully you won’t need to reference it, but in the event that you do, you’ll know exactly where it is.
Are You Facing Tax Fraud Charges?
Although we discussed what to do if you’re the victim of tax fraud in today’s blog, there’s another problem that some people will face–being falsely accused of tax fraud. If you are being charged with this crime, the good news is that the team at the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot can help. With nearly five decades of experience, Robert J. DeGroot is fully committed to providing clients with the most tenacious defense to ensure that our clients’ rights are upheld.
Regardless of the situation that you find yourself, you can rely on our team to be there for you. The truth of the matter is that you’ll need an experienced trial lawyer to help you secure a positive outcome. At the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot, we’re supported by associates and paralegals who will seek to get to the bottom of things for you, providing you with the help you need every step of the way.
If you’re in the Newark area and you’re wondering if your case would make a good fit for our offices, we’d be glad to talk to you and we’re proud to offer a free confidential consultation. We have successfully defended countless clients since opening our doors and we’d love to take on your case as well. Contact us today to get the help you need in the midst of a difficult situation. We’ll be here to help.
