Everything old is new. Most of the entries on the IRS Dirty Dozen list don’t change much. In terms of priority, some scams get more attention than others each year. Overall, the list is an annual opportunity for the agency to post a most-busted list and warn taxpayers about common tax schemes lurking too close for comfort.
This was a big year for tax preparer fraud. If you take a look at the Department of Justice rap sheet, it doesn’t take long to find headlines calling out tax preparers for filing fraudulent tax returns.
In the past several years, tax crime involving offshore tax holdings consistently make the list. As tax attorneys, we work on a regular basis with clients concerned about the legality of their tax shelters, or those who have already been contacted about an IRS audit or even a criminal tax investigation.
The IRS has some powerful help in the algorithms it uses to surface individual filers who fudged the numbers on their returns just a bit too much. But the agency itself, often strapped for resources, can be counted upon to pursue bigger ticket prosecutorial paydays that result when wealthier taxpayers fail to report assets and offshore holdings on their FBAR.
Beyond those highlights, the Dirty Dozen for 2019 is split between two types of scams—those that victimize taxpayers and those that taxpayers undertake for their own enrichment. In these two camps we have:
Taxes and tax crime are not going away. If you are concerned with protecting your wealth or your liberty, speak to an experienced criminal tax defense attorney.
Serving international and local clients from offices in Chicago and Cleveland, Illinois, the legal team at Robert J. Fedor, Esq., LLC delivers experienced, discrete legal service if you face a charge of criminal tax fraud or other allegation. Call us at 800-579-0997 today.