This tax season, watch out for these tax preparer red flags!

With the 2025 filing season in full swing, you're probably looking for someone to prepare your taxes. While you might think it’s a good call to go to the preparer who can get you the highest refund, there are many sketchy tax preparers out there whose promises of huge refunds just end up getting taxpayers huge headaches with the IRS instead of the promised cash.

Here are some red flags to look for when choosing a preparer if you want a smooth tax season rather than a big tax bill.

Your preparer tells you they can get you a specific amount of money as a refund without reviewing your info. 

The amount of tax refund you may be able to get is based on a number of factors, like your income, the number of dependents you are claiming, and what credits you are eligible to claim. If a tax preparer promises you a flat refund amount up front, without reviewing your tax documents, they are likely running some sort of scam and claiming credits whether you are actually entitled to them or not.

Your preparer won’t let you review or ask questions about your tax return. 

The IRS holds taxpayers responsible for what’s on their tax forms, whether you do them yourself or have a tax preparer do them. Ask your tax preparer if you can see your return before filing and have them explain everything that’s on it. If they refuse to show you or answer your questions, something is definitely not right. They are also required to give you a copy of the return for you to keep for your own records. If they don’t, that’s another red flag.

Your tax preparer refuses to sign your tax forms or provide their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). 

The IRS requires all paid tax preparers to sign the returns they prepare and include their PTIN on the forms. Shady tax preparers (often called “ghost preparers”) make taxpayers sign the return, or just file it without even getting the taxpayer’s signature, and refuse to put their PTIN on it. That way, the IRS thinks you prepared the return and will stick you with the bill. If your tax preparer won’t put their PTIN or their signature on the tax return, it’s likely that they are setting you up for a fall. If your preparer doesn’t give you a copy of the return, or if they give you copy that doesn’t have their name on it underneath where you signed, that could be a sign to start looking for help sooner than later.

Your preparer doesn’t tell you how much they are charging, or seem to be charging too much.  

The law in Philadelphia requires tax preparers to tell you their fees up front, before you decide to get your taxes done with them. Some preparers charge super high amounts, because they are just going to take their fee out of your refund. If the preparer doesn’t tell you how much they are charging, or if they tell you an amount that seems too high, back out and go someplace else.

Remember, you shouldn’t even really need to pay a tax preparer as there are free tax preparation services, called VITA sites, that are staffed by IRS certified volunteers. They are totally free and the volunteers there won’t try to do anything that puts you at risk of future IRS problems. A list of VITA sites can be found at irs.gov/vita and you can also use getyourrefund.org.

What use is a big refund if you’re just going to have to pay it back with penalties and interest in the future anyway?

Questions? Problems? Contact us to see if we can help! 215-981-3800, Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or at philalegal.org/apply.