Avoid Scams and Fraud During Tax Season
Those filing their taxes may be a target for scams and fraud. Remember that the IRS does not contact taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information.
Be wary of tax preparers who promise higher returns or “free money” from the IRS. It is important to choose a tax preparer that has a valid IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number.
Free Resources are Available:
Free resources are available to assist eligible individuals filing their taxes. The IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. To locate a VITA or TCE site near you, visit irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or call 800-906-9887.
Additional resources include:
- IRS Free File – https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
- More information on VITA – https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers
- Find a VITA tax clinic – https://www.communitylinknc.org/pages/%20vita or https://www.vitalatino.org/
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Site Locator – https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (5535 Albemarle Rd, Charlotte) is hosting free tax filing clinics during the 2024 tax filing season. Visit vitalatino.org/cita-vita or call (980) 388-1768 to schedule an appointment at a VITA Latino clinic at Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy:
- Saturday, March 16, 2024, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Monday, April 8, 2024, 1 – 5 p.m.
Discover You Were Signed Up for A Health Insurance Plan Through the Marketplace Without Your Consent? Free Help is Available.
If an individual discovers Marketplace fraud, a Marketplace healthcare plan that they were signed up for without their consent or knowledge, they should report this to the Marketplace. Click here for more information on next steps.
Health insurance navigators are available to provide free assistance to those with questions concerning their taxes and health insurance coverage through the Marketplace (also referred to as Obamacare, Healthcare.gov and Affordable Care Act). Those who reside in Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County and Union County can call 980-256-3782 for assistance. North Carolina residents in all other counties can call 1-855-733-3711 for assistance.