What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oklahoma
This forum was quite helpful to me when I recently sought legal advice and I am hoping to get advice for a friend of mine. I am sure she will appreciate all contributions as she has gotten no where trying to call the IRS or talking to the preparer.
My friend lives in a small town and has used the same tax preparer for 10 years. Her parents and sister have also used the same person even longer. They all knew and trusted the tax preparer. They didn't bother to check every detail because that is what they were paying the tax preparer to do.
Each and every person my friend knows that uses the same tax preparer is being audited. My friend contacted the tax preparer about the matter. The tax preparer responded by sending her an envelope full of blank charitable receipts and told her to "make it fit". My friend tried calling the IRS and they told her that she is responsible since she signed the returns.
Upon further investigation, my friend discovered that the tax preparer also exaggerated mileage, cell phone, and other business expense claims. She also noted that some of the claims she would have made were listed in her husband's name and not her own. She did find receipts and bank statements to validate some of the claims. At this point, she is at a loss of what to do. The IRS recommended she pay the penalties as she is at fault just as much as the tax preparer. She just had a baby and has absolutely no money to pay the penalties and little energy to put up a fight.
I am outraged by the story and and find it amazing that paying the penalty or "making it fit" were the only options she found. I cannot believe that the tax preparer is not held accountable at all. Please share any advice or comments you feel would be helpful for the situation. Thank you.
This forum was quite helpful to me when I recently sought legal advice and I am hoping to get advice for a friend of mine. I am sure she will appreciate all contributions as she has gotten no where trying to call the IRS or talking to the preparer.
My friend lives in a small town and has used the same tax preparer for 10 years. Her parents and sister have also used the same person even longer. They all knew and trusted the tax preparer. They didn't bother to check every detail because that is what they were paying the tax preparer to do.
Each and every person my friend knows that uses the same tax preparer is being audited. My friend contacted the tax preparer about the matter. The tax preparer responded by sending her an envelope full of blank charitable receipts and told her to "make it fit". My friend tried calling the IRS and they told her that she is responsible since she signed the returns.
Upon further investigation, my friend discovered that the tax preparer also exaggerated mileage, cell phone, and other business expense claims. She also noted that some of the claims she would have made were listed in her husband's name and not her own. She did find receipts and bank statements to validate some of the claims. At this point, she is at a loss of what to do. The IRS recommended she pay the penalties as she is at fault just as much as the tax preparer. She just had a baby and has absolutely no money to pay the penalties and little energy to put up a fight.
I am outraged by the story and and find it amazing that paying the penalty or "making it fit" were the only options she found. I cannot believe that the tax preparer is not held accountable at all. Please share any advice or comments you feel would be helpful for the situation. Thank you.
