IRS warns taxpayers of 'ghost' preparers who promise big refunds, file fraudulent returns and vanish without a trace

Peak tax season is approaching, and with it comes an uptick in fraudulent tax preparers who promise massive refunds, prepare bogus returns then disappear when the IRS comes calling. Consumer protection groups warn these "ghost" tax preparers are thriving, and this year's confusing tax landscape could make Americans even more vulnerable. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns about ghost tax preparers who deliberately avoid signing returns they prepare, leaving clients to face IRS penalties alone (1). Mu ...