Beware of tax scams

Six weeks into the new year now, the prospect of figuring income taxes looms larger for Iowans. The I-R-S has issued a “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams and deductions you may be offered that mean nothing but trouble. Every year con artists pop up during filing season trying to sell things that are bogus, nothing but moneymakers for them. IRS spokeswoman Donna Migazzi says the details of the scams vary from year to year, but a few themes recur, like asking people to pay cash in advance for the taxes on a phone prize they’re told they’ve won.If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and a con artist’s just trying to make money. For a fee, they’ll fill out forms to “get reparations for slavery,” targeting black Americans, but there’s no such thing and you’ll get in trouble trying to claim it. Migazzi says you’re wise to be careful about dealing with people who claim to be with the federal revenue service.Ask for the ID all IRS employees must carry, and if they phone, ask them to give you YOUR social security number. Migazzi says if they can’t, you should hang up. And to check on the latest frauds and scams, see for yourself at “www.irs.gov”.