Taxpayer Beware

Ever get a dreaded letter from the state, after you filed on time and did everything right, and wondered, “What now?”  In this episode of Taxpayer Beware , host Ray Davis welcomes Angela Jones, the Taxpayer Advocate for the California Franchise Tax Board, who reveals what to do next when facing unexpected tax problems. Whether you’ve hit a rough patch such as job loss, divorce, or just confusing p...

Tax scams are getting sneakier every year—ghost preparers, phishing emails, bogus job offers, and too-good-to-be-true returns. How can you really know if your tax preparer is the real deal? In this episode of Taxpayer Beware , host Ray Davis chats with Alma Galvan, spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau, about the sharpest scam warning signs and the powerful tools you can use to verify legiti...

Tax season isn’t just stressful—it’s open season for scammers hunting for your money and personal data. From convincing fake texts to phony websites mimicking the real Franchise Tax Board, fraudsters are upping their game every year.  In this episode of Taxpayer Beware , host Ray Davis sits down with Andrew Lepage from the Franchise Tax Board Public Affairs Division to break down the latest tax-re...

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a consumer alert about a series of tax scams and bad social media advice that led thousands of taxpayers to file refund claims they didn’t qualify for. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware , presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Christella Sanchez, Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the IRS to identify ways s...

We’re starting to get emails and calls from taxpayers who have listened to our podcast, and they’re sharing situations they faced. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Tom O’Saben , Enrolled Agent, CTEC board member and Governmental Relations expert with the National Association of Tax Professionals, and Rebecca...

In the wake of California’s devastating wildfires, many taxpayers and businesses are relying on disaster tax relief to recover financially. Unfortunately, scammers see this as an opportunity to prey on victims. In this episode of Taxpayer Beware , presented by the California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis speaks with Rebecca Landeros of the Franchise Tax Board Enforcement Team about the war...

Understanding taxes is complicated. Hiring a tax professional can help, and it’s something millions of people do. But what if the tax professional you hire is actually a scammer? On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Antonio Vazquez of the California State Board of Equalization , to help illuminate how to hire le...

Tax professionals doing business in California must meet certain state requirements – but the details on these requirements can be confusing, especially when it comes to who is exempt, and who isn’t. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Rebecca Landeros from the California Franchise Tax Board Enforcement Team to...

In California, only attorneys, CPAs, CTEC-registered tax preparers, and enrolled agents are considered legally qualified tax professionals - but how do you know which one of these options is right for you? On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with three representatives to understand the differences and how to decide...

When it comes to filing taxes, we could all use a little help. But how do you know who's legally qualified to assist, and what happens if they make a mistake? Or worse – what if you become a victim of fraud?  Welcome to Taxpayer Beware , presented by The California Tax Education Council, a show focused on providing the right knowledge and information to help you find the best help, and avoid the l...

Let's face it. Tax law is complex. So complex it's the reason why California requires tax preparers to be educated on tax laws. But is hiring a tax professional the right choice for you?  Brandon Chanley, chats with Kelly Phillips Erb, tax attorney and senior editor at Forbes, Susie Dimaggio, enrolled agent, and Fernando Angell, CTEC registrant and host of the CTEC Spanish Taxpayer Beware podcast....

They're a problem we keep seeing year after year, we call them ghost tax preparers. Every tax season, they'll hang a shingle over a tax preparation service, offering it for a low fee, or sometimes just word of mouth to get business. Once April 15th comes and goes, they disappear like a ghost - leaving their victims to deal with their mess. Unfortunately, sometimes victims don't even know there's a...

It can happen to the most honest of us. It could be fraud. It could be a financial issue. But it happened. You're facing a tax issue. Is there anywhere you can go to for help? CTEC Chair, Brandon Chanley, chats with the Brenda Voet - Taxpayer Advocate for the Franchise Tax Board. Hear stories of how she's helped taxpayers with taxing situations and who you can trust for help. Hosted by Simplecast,...

There’s a lot of misunderstanding about tax refunds - especially regarding what tax pros can and cannot do. For instance, is it okay for them to take a percentage of your refund as payment? And then there’s the controversial issue of refund loans. CTEC Chair, Brandon Chanley, chats with tax pro, Marissa Beaman, to set the record straight.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz...

From fake phone calls and emails to targeting your social media posts - scammers are getting more creative. Stealing not only your identity, but your tax refund.  CTEC Chair, Brandon Chanley, chats with Elias Dominguez from the Franchise Tax Board Public Affairs Division. Hear what the state is doing to stop fraud and the state's advice to taxpayers. You can also find more tips on CTEC.org with li...

It can happen to the most honest of us. It could be fraud. It could be a financial issue. But it happened. You're facing a tax issue. Is there anywhere you can go to for help? CTEC Chair, Brandon Chanley, chats with Steve Sims - former Taxpayer Advocate for the Franchise Tax Board and nationally-recognized state tax expert. Hear stories of how he's helped taxpayers with taxing situations and who y...

From fake phone calls and emails to targeting your social media posts - scammers are getting more creative. Stealing not only your identity, but your tax refund. In fact, most victims have no idea it happened to them until they try to file their tax return.  CTEC Chair, Brandon Chanley, chats with Elias Dominguez from the Franchise Tax Board Public Affairs Division. Hear what state is doing to sto...

So you hired a tax preparer. They’re the pro. You paid them a fee  - but what happens if there’s a mistake? Or worse yet, fraud. Brandon Chanley, Chair of the California Tax Education Council (CTEC), chats with Richard Ernst, a former prosecutor for New York State's Attorney General. Richard provides tales from the past about issues he's seen with tax preparers and how you can avoid fraud. In Cali...

What is California doing about illegal tax preparers and tax scams? Quite a bit, actually.  California is one of the few states to have set requirements for paid tax preparers. By law, anyone who prepares your tax return must be either an attorney, CPA, enrolled agent or a registered tax preparer with the California Tax Education Council (CTEC).  CTEC partners with the Franchise Tax Board to go af...

It is a problem that happens every tax season. Ghost tax preparers. Who are they? They charge a fee to do your taxes, but never sign your tax return.  So what can happen if a tax preparer doesn't sign? Well, how about owing thirteen thousand in fraudulent taxes? Or paying back your refund. With interest. Unfortunately, it happens. And by the way, not signing is also against the law.  Brandon Chanl...

It is a problem that happens every tax season. Ghost tax preparers. Who are they? They charge a fee to do your taxes, but never sign your tax return.  So what can happen if a tax preparer doesn't sign? Well, how about owing thirteen thousand in fraudulent taxes?  Or paying back your refund. With interest. Unfortunately, it happens. And by the way, not signing is also against the law. In fact, we h...