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Video Insight: Don't Get Haunted by Ghost Preparers

When you hire a professional to handle your taxes, you expect transparency. However, a "ghost preparer" operates in the shadows. This is a paid preparer who refuses to sign the tax returns they create for you. Often, they promise inflated refunds based on fabricated benefits, take their fee in cash, and disappear before the IRS catches on.

Client reviewing tax return details on a computer

Why the Signature Matters

By law, any legitimate professional must sign your return and include their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). If they don't, it looks like you filed it yourself. That means if the IRS flags the return for fraud, you are solely responsible for the consequences, not the person you paid.

Your "BackPocket CFO" Advice

Whether you are filing in Scottsdale, Denver, or Albuquerque, protect your financial health by verifying your preparer's credentials. At GeneralCents Accounting, John Koloch and the team prioritize accuracy and accountability. Watch the video below to learn how to spot the red flags of a ghost preparer this season.

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