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Navigating Social Media's Tax Advice: Dangers & Solutions

In our interconnected world, social media has transformed into a go-to source for information on an array of topics, including taxation. Despite the ease of access to such platforms, they entail significant risks when relied upon for tax advice. Social media's misleading tax guidance can lead to serious ramifications for taxpayers. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial to safeguarding your financial well-being.

The Surge of Social Media Tax Advisors - Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter are witnessing an upswing in influencers and unverified experts dispensing tax tips. Although many aim to assist, errors and misinformation are rampant. The simplicity of these online tips often fails to capture the complexities of tax regulations, resulting in widespread misinformation.

Frequent Misconceptions - Recently, various tax-related misconceptions have gained momentum online. Some advise incorrectly on specific tax credits, such as the Fuel Tax Credit and the Sick and Family Leave Credit. As a case in point, the Fuel Tax Credit is not universally available—it's designated for off-road business use. Likewise, the Sick and Family Leave Credit is available solely to eligible employers paying wages under certain conditions. Misunderstandings like these could lead to improper claims, triggering penalties for unwarranted claims.

Additionally, there are instances of advising on the misuse of Forms W-2 and 1099 through social media, encouraging the falsification of income figures to inflate refunds, further complicating interactions with the IRS.

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Illustrative Case – A prime example is the ongoing debacle surrounding the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Intended to incentivize businesses to keep employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ERC has become a mire for many due to misleading promotions. Promoters aggressively marketed the ERC as effortless financial aid, charging exorbitant fees for filing assistance. Sadly, many filed fraudulent claims and vanished, leaving businesses with audits, penalties, and potential liabilities.

The Serious Implications - Following erroneous tax advice from social media can have dire consequences. Here are the risks involved:

  1. Refund Issues: The IRS scrutinizes suspicious refund claims, potentially resulting in delays or denials if claims can't be substantiated.

  2. Fines and Penalties: Acting on incomplete or inaccurate advice exposes taxpayers to penalties. For instance, the Excessive Claim Penalty hits taxpayers with a 20% charge on over-claimed amounts, with fraud penalties climbing as high as 75% of the deficiency. The negligence penalty adds an additional 20%, illustrating the weight of relying on unverified sources.

  3. Legal Repercussions: Repeat offenses can lead to audits, fines, or even criminal charges, with severe cases resulting in imprisonment.

  4. Identity Security Risks: Using advice from insecure channels increases exposure to identity theft and fraud.

  5. Long-term Financial Disadvantages: Erroneous filings affect financial standing, increase audit risk, and complicate future claims.

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Protective Steps - In light of these threats, it’s essential to approach social media-driven tax advice with caution. Here’s what you can do:

  • Cross-Check Information: Always verify social media tips with trusted sources such as the IRS or a licensed tax professional.

  • Beware of Scams: Stay informed about popular scams through the IRS's "Dirty Dozen" list.

  • Report Dubious Activities: Use IRS Form 14242 to report fraudulent schemes, protecting the community from falling into similar traps.

While social media offers insight, scrutinizing the advice you follow is vital. Missteps not only jeopardize refunds but can lead to serious legal and financial disputes. Ensure informed decisions by utilizing sanctioned resources like IRS guidelines and consulting professional tax advisors. Attain peace of mind and fiscal security by avoiding deceptive online recommendations.

For personalized and precise tax guidance, reach out to experienced professionals at Tangible Accounting, PLLC. Our team led by Jaron J. Fulse, EA, offers dependable and integrity-focused assistance.

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