IRS: Do not claim old phone tax refund |
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Published
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Thu, 25 Jan 2007 21:29
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WASHINGTON (AFX) - The Internal Revenue Service warned Thursday that it will take prompt action against taxpayers and preparers who claim improperly large refunds from a discontinued telephone tax.The IRS said early filings indicated some taxpayers are requesting 'large and apparently improper amounts' for the one-time refund from the long-distance excise tax that the government stopped collecting last August.'People requesting an inflated amount will likely see their refunds frozen, may have their entire tax returns audited and even face criminal prosecution where warranted,' IRS Commissioner Mark Everson said.The agency said some taxpayers appeared to be asking for refunds of their entire phone bills rather than for the 3 percent tax on long-distance and bundled service they are entitled to. Others were making requests for thousands of dollars, indicating they had phone bills of more than $100,000.The government has authorized a refund of tax collected on service billed during the period from March 2003 to July 2006. The IRS has urged taxpayers to request a standard refund amount ranging from $30 to $60, based on the number of exemptions they claim. It said no documentation is needed for the standard amount, which approximates the eligible amount for most taxpayers.Everson said the tax agency will aggressively pursue tax preparers and promoters who make improper requests. He said audits will be sent out and investigators will visit tax preparers filing for questionable telephone tax refunds. The agency urged taxpayers to stay away from unscrupulous preparers who make false claims about the phone tax refund.Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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