If your tax preparer is cutting corners or acting dishonestly, they aren’t just being “helpful”—they are putting you at legal risk. Here are the specific behaviors you should report to the IRS.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Common Signs of Malpractice
- Refund Theft: They deposit your refund into their own bank account or take a “cut” of the total beyond their flat fee.
- “Ghost” Preparing: They refuse to sign the return or provide a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). A legal preparer must always sign.
- Fabricating Data: They invent fake business losses, fake dependents, or exaggerated deductions to get you a bigger refund.
- Unauthorized Filing: They submit your return to the IRS before you have reviewed or approved the final numbers.
- Document Hostage: They refuse to return your original records (like W-2s) or won’t give you a copy of the finished return.
How to Take Action
Don’t wait for an audit to fix the problem. Use the following IRS forms to report the misconduct:
| Situation | Required Form |
| General Misconduct | Form 14157 (For bad practices or refusal to sign) |
| Fraud or Theft | Form 14157-A (If they changed your return or stole money) |
| Identity Theft | Form 14039 (If your SSN was used without your knowledge) |
Pro Tip: Never sign a blank tax return. Always review the final document and ensure the “Paid Preparer” section is fully filled out before it’s sent to the IRS.
