Westly Warns of Predatory Tax Preparers

Westly Warns of Predatory Tax Preparers: "State Controller and Franchise Tax Board Chair Steve Westly today warned Californians to beware of predatory tax preparers, who use their access to personal information for identity theft, or incorrectly complete tax returns and leave taxpayers stuck with the penalties.A dishonest tax preparer can manipulate tax return figures in many ways. Often that manipulation leads to fraudulent refunds, with the proceeds going to the tax preparer who skims money from the taxpayer's refund check. To add insult to injury, the taxpayer is also liable for any penalties that result from the improper tax return."