The IRS is reminding taxpayers to use caution during this tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. The our 2012 Dirty Dozen list of tax scams and phishing attempts,is compiled by the IRS each year, but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their tax returns. 

1. Identity Theft
2. Phishing
3. Return Preparer Fraud
4. Hiding Income Offshore
5. “Free Money” from the IRS & Tax Scams Involving Social Security
6. False/Inflated Income and Expenses
7. False Form 1099 Refund Claims
8. Frivolous Arguments
9. Falsely Claiming Zero Wages
10. Abuse of Charitable Organizations and Deductions
11. Disguised Corporate Ownership
12. Misuse of Trusts

To read the full report, click HERE