MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) -It is time to make it right with Uncle Sam as tax day is just over a month away.
With weeks before the deadline, April 15, the IRS is sending out a big warning – do not get ripped off.
"There are a lot of good preparers out there. But there are a few bad apples and you got to watch out because the bottom line is no matter who does your taxes, you're responsible for what's on your return," said consumer alert spokesperson Dan Boone.
Free assistance resources, both online and at tax preparation sites across the city, are there for some who made below $51,000 for the year and those over 60 years old. If you don't quality for this, Boone offers simple tips to find a tax preparer.
"Find somebody with good credentials, somebody who is rated well with the Better Business Bureau. Somebody who is there all year, not just during tax filing season in case a question comes up later about your tax returns," he said.
For those of you who have already filed and are waiting, the IRS mobile app may be of great help.
It is called IRS to Go. It is free and easy to use.
IRS.GOV also is full of preparation tips.
There is also a "Where is My Refund" section updated daily. Another thing to keep in mind, you can only file for up to three years back. This means if you don't file for 2009 by April 15 you could lose out on that return money.
"Here in Tennessee, we have about 16,400 people who could claim about $14.5 million in refunds, it's just sitting there waiting for them to claim it," said Boone.
As for the seemingly constant tax scams out there, the IRS never emails or texts.
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