We’re now at the time of year when tax fraud will become much more common. People all across the United States are getting back all of the documents that they need to be able to file their returns. Some will inevitably be filing as soon as possible; others will be waiting until the last minute to get ahold of an accountant. Regardless, tax fraud will become an issue.
At the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot, we have heard countless stories about people who have experienced tax fraud. An article from Forbes notes that at the end of 2015, “the IRS reported that it identified 835,183 tax returns claiming approximately $4.3 billion in potentially fraudulent tax refunds.”
What Can You Do?
According to the IRS itself, “Combating identity theft is a top priority, and across the IRS many important steps are being taken to fight it.” Although there are a number of different situations where an identity can be stolen, it is more common than you might think to go to file your taxes and receive notice that taxes have already been filed in your name. How this occurs can vary from case to case, but the end result is a headache for you.
That’s why the IRS strongly recommends filing your taxes as early as you are able to. Not only are you able to get your return back more quickly, but the odds of having an issue decrease significantly the earlier you can file.
Take Advice From the Pros
Credit Karma, a popular tool for checking your credit score, has also released a handful of tips that will come in handy. These include not clicking on links in emails, not giving out information to suspicious callers, and working with a reputable accountant to file your tax returns, among others.
Unfortunately, more people than ever are worried about their tax returns thanks to the recent Equifax breach in which millions of people had their personal data put at risk due to hackers. The good news is that in many instances, the best advice is to file your taxes early, as we mentioned above. That means that if you have received your documents in the mail, it’s time to get your taxes filed now rather than putting it off for later.
Have You Been Accused of Committing Tax Fraud?
Here’s another unfortunate truth–innocent people are accused of committing tax fraud on a regular basis. It’s just a fact of life that when tensions are high and people are worried that arrests for tax fraud will be made. In many instances, the person who is arrested will be guilty of committing the crime; other times, this is just not the case.
Fortunately, Newark tax fraud lawyer Robert J. DeGroot would be glad to take on your case. The particulars of situations like these can often involve large amounts of paperwork, but our team of experts will work diligently to get to the bottom of things and ensure that your good reputation is upheld. Mistakes do happen, but when they do, you’ll need to know that you have someone in your corner with plenty of experience to fight for your rights; at the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot, we have over four decades of experience in doing just that.
Give Us a Call Today
Regardless of the situation that you find yourself in, you can count on the team of experts at the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot to provide you with the criminal defense you need during a trying time. When a situation like this arises, you’ll want to be certain that is being handled correctly. That’s why you can put your trust in us, because since 1972, Robert DeGroot has been working through cases just like yours.
Don’t settle for anything less than the best; our team of associates and paralegals will fight to defend you against charges at the local or the federal level. We take our jobs seriously because we know what is on the line for you. Start things off with a free confidential consultation. Give us a call today to get started and rest assured that you are in good hands with the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot.
