IRS Self Employment Tax Credit: Today, the IRS released a consumer notice about bogus claims being made by taxpayers as a result of erroneous information about a purported “Self Employment Tax Credit” that is making the rounds on social media. This false information implies that gig workers and independent contractors can earn large sums of money during the COVID-19 pandemic—some reports even speculate about amounts as high as $32,000.
The “Self Employment Tax Credit” is not the credit under discussion; rather, it is the Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave. This credit was only available in specific circumstances in 2020 and 2021; it does not apply to tax returns submitted in 2023.
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Form 7202 is intended for self-employed individuals who were unable to work due to COVID-19, but many people are using it wrong to make false claims for income earned while they were employed.
Stay informed and avoid scams! The @IRSnews has issued a consumer alert about a non-existent ‘Self Employment Tax Credit.’ Don’t be misled into filing false claims! For official updates, click here: https://t.co/ocJpmBopOq#ScamAlert #TaxAlert #SmallBizBIGVoice pic.twitter.com/2CKb2yvrmT
— NWYC (@NWYC) July 19, 2024
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel emphasized the dangers of disseminating erroneous information when he said, “This is another misleading social media claim that’s fooling well-meaning taxpayers into thinking they’re due a big payday.” He suggested: “Before paying someone to file these claims, taxpayers should consult with a trusted tax professional to see if they meet the very limited eligibility scenarios.”
Like the Employee Retention Credit, which has also been misrepresented, the IRS has noticed a pattern of deceptive marketing. These credits are not meant for common taxpayer claims and have complicated criteria. Doubtful claims are still increasing, according to the IRS, delaying refunds and necessitating more paperwork.
IRS warns of fake “self employment tax credit” scam
The alert also talks about other scams, like those involving family employment taxes and the Fuel Tax Credit. The IRS has brought these issues to people’s attention every year in its “Dirty Dozen” series and stressed how important it is to make sure that tax returns are correct.
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According to Marca, Werfel said “Scam artists constantly prey on people’s hopes and try to use the complexity of the tax system to convince people there are secret ways to get a big refund.” emphasizing how important it is to get the right help. He tells people that if they want to understand the complicated world of tax credits and avoid falling for scams, they should talk to professionals.
Tax season is coming up quickly, so people who owe money need to be on the lookout for information and make sure it comes from reliable sources.
