Mountain Messenger
  • News
    • Local News
    • Courthouse
      • Civil Suits
      • Deeds
      • Marriages
      • Public Meetings
      • Reunions
    • Club News
    • Education
    • Business News
    • Entertainment
    • Sports News
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Southern Baptist
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
    • Church Bulletin
  • Obituaries
  • Columns
    • A Look Back
    • Back Down Country Roads
    • Dear Recycle Lady
    • Between The Lines
    • Letters to the Editor
  • eMessenger
  • Special Publications
    • Properties and Lifestyles
    • State Fair Guide
  • Contact Us
  • State News
  • National News
  • Classifieds
  • Legals
  • Login
Subscribe For $2.50/Month
No Result
View All Result
Mountain Messenger
  • News
    • Local News
    • Courthouse
      • Civil Suits
      • Deeds
      • Marriages
      • Public Meetings
      • Reunions
    • Club News
    • Education
    • Business News
    • Entertainment
    • Sports News
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Southern Baptist
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
    • Church Bulletin
  • Obituaries
  • Columns
    • A Look Back
    • Back Down Country Roads
    • Dear Recycle Lady
    • Between The Lines
    • Letters to the Editor
  • eMessenger
  • Special Publications
    • Properties and Lifestyles
    • State Fair Guide
No Result
View All Result
Mountain Messenger
No Result
View All Result
  • National News
  • WV State News
  • VA State News
  • Contact Us
Home Public Notice

AG Morrisey reminds consumers to research tax prep services

March 17, 2023
in Public Notice
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


It’s that time of the year again, so West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is reminding consumers to be cautious and to protect personal information when preparing and filing their federal and state income taxes, particularly since some tax preparers offer remote/online assistance.
The federal and West Virginia tax filing deadline this year is Apr. 18.
If opting for a remote or virtual transaction, make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate tax preparation service. Also, make sure the tax preparer uses a secure portal to receive sensitive information involving income, Social Security numbers, finances, birth dates, addresses and other items scammers could steal.
“Tax season is in full swing and so are scammers who are busy trying to steal your personal information,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “That’s why it’s imperative for consumers to be mindful of how they handle tax information and who processes tax-related documents on their behalf. Make sure you work with the right person or business. Research their reputation, qualifications, and be on guard for any phony or dishonest preparer who would jeopardize your personal information.”
Consumers can greatly reduce the risk of fraud by filing their return well before the April 18 deadline. This gives thieves less time to file a false return since Internal Revenue Service records would show a filed return in the consumer’s name. Consumers also should use a secure internet connection, and never file their return via publicly available WiFi.
Consumers should ask for the Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and check the IRS list found at https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf.
Legitimate tax preparers will ask for records and receipts. Additionally, they will never ask a client to sign a blank tax return. If they suggest as much, it should raise an immediate red flag.
Consumers should also ensure their tax preparer signs and includes his or her IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number. Federal law requires paid tax preparers to take both steps.
Other tips to consider if hiring a tax preparer:
• Research tax preparers online and/or seek a trusted friend’s recommendation.
• Make sure the tax preparer offers e-file. Anyone who prepares and files more than 10 returns for clients generally must do so electronically.
• Make sure the tax preparer will be available after filing the return should any questions arise about the filed tax return.
• Taxpayers who file through traditional mail should use caution and consider taking the mail to a local post office – tax identity thieves have been known to steal tax documents from mailboxes.
Consumers who believe they may be the victim of tax-related identity theft should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office at 800-368-8808, or file a complaint online at www.ago.wv.gov

ShareTweetPin
Previous Post

House passes SB-577 to cap copays on insulin

Next Post

Ukraine, A poem by Louise “Lee” Fraley (Covington, VA)

Discussion about this post

Join Our Newsletter

  • News
  • Spiritual
  • Obituaries
  • Columns
  • eMessenger
  • Special Publications

© 2022 Mountain Media, LLC

  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
No Result
View All Result
  • eMessenger
  • Local News
  • Courthouse
  • A Look Back
  • Business News
  • Church News
  • Club News
  • Sports News
  • Entertainment
  • Obituaries
  • Opinions
  • Special Publications
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Subscribe | Digital & Newspaper

© 2022 Mountain Media, LLC

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Thank you for supporting local journalism. Please enjoy two free articles per month.

Subscribe Or Login For Full Access

Forgot your password?

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login