Maybe filing your tax return is as simple as reporting your W-2 wages and claiming the standard deduction. Or perhaps it’s more complicated because you sold a rental property, and have large ...

ALL TAX PROS MUST HAVE WHAT’S CALLED A PREPARER TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ... SCAMMERS WILL TRY TO SCARE YOU WITH A FAKE IRS BADGE NUMBER AND THREATEN ARREST. IF YOU DON’T PAY IMMEDIATELY.

The Better Business Bureau finds that people looking online for a tax preparer can be scammed by someone simply seeking to steal their personal information.

All tax pros must have what's called a Preparer Tax Identification Number ... and they'll give you a fake IRS badge number and threaten to arrest you if you don't pay immediately.