Beware of “Ghost Preparers”
How Fraudulent Tax Preparers Hurt Taxpayers Every Year
As an Enrolled Agent, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a new client call me in complete distress.
And in most cases, the story starts exactly the same way:
A taxpayer filed one or more tax returns with a “ghost preparer”—someone who promises the biggest refund possible, and yes… they deliver.
But only because the return was fraudulent.
What Ghost Preparers Do Behind the Scenes
I’ve seen it all:
Artificially increasing a taxpayer’s withholding
Adding a fake Schedule C packed with deductions the taxpayer never had
Creating completely fabricated W-2s
Claiming credits or dependents the taxpayer didn’t qualify for
These returns may look great at first—until the IRS reviews them.
And when the IRS notices something is wrong?
They show up at your door, not the preparer’s.
That’s when the panic sets in.
Why Are They Called “Ghost Preparers”?
Because the moment trouble appears…
They disappear.
They never sign the return.
They don’t attach their information.
They can’t be reached.
They refuse to get involved when the IRS demands answers.
And the only person left holding the bag is the taxpayer.
How to Protect Yourself
Here’s the simplest way to know if someone is not a ghost preparer:
👉 A legitimate tax professional will ALWAYS sign your return.
On the last page of your Form 1040 (the actual 1040, not the supporting schedules), there is a section for the preparer’s signature and information.
If that section is:
Blank
Says “Self-Prepared”
Or contains no identifying information
❌ Do NOT file that return.
❌ Walk away immediately.
If a preparer refuses to sign, they are hiding something—and you will be the one responsible for any consequences.
Find a Legitimate Tax Professional
The IRS maintains a searchable public directory to help you find verified, credentialed preparers:
🔗 IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers:
https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf
You can search by:
ZIP code
Credential (EA, CPA, Attorney)
Specialties
If you want someone reputable, this is the safest place to start.
Final Thought
Most taxpayers who fall victim to ghost preparers aren’t trying to cheat the system. They trusted someone who claimed to be a professional.
But when the IRS comes calling, that ghost preparer is long gone.
Protect yourself. Make sure your preparer signs your return
.