The salt lake tribune

The Internal Revenue Service is warning Utahns to beware of this year’s "Dirty Dozen" tax scams and is urging taxpayers to protect themselves against schemes that range from identity theft to return preparer fraud.

Although the IRS said taxpayers can encounter the schemes on its annual list anytime during the year, it warns that such scams frequently peak during filing season as people prepare their tax returns.

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"Scam artists will tempt people in person, online and by email with misleading promises about lost refunds and free money," IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said in a statement.

Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest, and possible criminal prosecution, the IRS said. And it noted its criminal investigation division works closely with the U.S. Department of Justice to shutdown scams and prosecute the criminals behind them.

The IRS’ Dirty Dozen scams for 2012 are these:

Identity theft »It tops this year’s list. The IRS said it increasingly is seeing thieves looking for ways to use a legitimate taxpayer’s identity and personal information to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund. An IRS notice informing a taxpayer that more than one return was filed in his or her name or that the taxpayer received wages from an unknown employer may be the first tip-off that a person is being victimized.

Phishing »This scam is typically carried out through unsolicited email or fake websites to lure potential victims and prompt them to provide valuable personal and financial information. The IRS said it does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email. Any unsolicited emails that appear to be from the IRS or related entity such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System should be reported by sending it to phishing@irs.gov.

Return preparer fraud »About 60 percent of taxpayers will use tax professionals this year to help them prepare and file returns. Most preparers are honest, but some prey on unsuspecting taxpayers. Questionable preparers have been known to skim off their clients’ refunds, charge inflated fees for services and attract new clients by promising guaranteed or inflated refunds.

Among warning signs:

— Preparers do not sign returns or place a "preparer tax identification number" on them.

— They don’t give you a copy of your tax return.

— They promise larger than normal tax refunds

— They charge a percentage of the refund amount as a preparation fee

— They require you to split the refund to pay the preparation fee

— They add forms to the return you have never filed before

— They encourage you to place false information on your return, such as false income, expenses and/or credits.

Hiding income offshore »Althoughthere are legitimate reasons for maintaining financial accounts abroad, there are reporting requirements. U.S. taxpayers who maintain such accounts and do not comply are breaking the law and risk significant penalties and fines, as well as the possibility of criminal prosecution.