Life Kit How to avoid this year's common tax scams
8 snips
Mar 12, 2026 
Mark Gallegos, CPA and partner at Portie Brown in Chicago, gives clear tax guidance. He points out common bad advice like fake income claims and inflated deductions. He warns about IRS scams, social media misinformation, and how to vet preparers and online tips. Practical steps for verifying IRS contacts and using official sources are highlighted.
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Tax Law Is Highly Technical And Specific
- Tax law is technical and grounded in statutes, regs, and case law.
- Mark Gallegos warns 30-second social clips often omit nuanced eligibility tests and caveats that make rules narrow.
Common Fraud Examples People Try Online
- Gallegos describes common fraudulent schemes like faking 1099 income to claim the earned income credit.
- He also cites inflated business expenses: writing off personal car use, groceries as client meals, or nonuniform clothing as uniforms.
Playing IRS Roulette Is Risky
- Some taxpayers play 'IRS roulette' assuming audits are unlikely and accept the gamble.
- Gallegos emphasizes that auditable misstatements carry civil penalties and potential criminal risk, not just a slap on the wrist.