Taxpayer Beware

Ever get a dreaded letter from the state, after you filed on time and did everything right, and wondered, “What now?” In this episode of Taxpayer Beware, host Ray Davis welcomes Angela Jones, the Taxpayer Advocate for the California Franchise Tax Board, who reveals what to do next when facing unexpected tax problems.Whether you’ve hit a rough patch such as job loss, divorce, or just confusing paperwork, Angela shares real-life stories, concrete resources, and a step-by-step guide to getting help before things spiral. Discover what her office can assist with, why ignoring tax notices is the worst move, and how installment agreements can make a tough situation manageable.Plus, learn the best ways to get in touch, including phone, email, and more, and hear how taxpayers and businesses have turned negative situations around by reaching out.So tune in to this episode now and empower yourself with expert tips and advocacy!Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tax scams are getting sneakier every year—ghost preparers, phishing emails, bogus job offers, and too-good-to-be-true returns. How can you really know if your tax preparer is the real deal?In this episode of Taxpayer Beware, host Ray Davis chats with Alma Galvan, spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau, about the sharpest scam warning signs and the powerful tools you can use to verify legitimate tax pros in California. Discover the BBB’s favorite red flag tips, how to use the Scam Tracker, what to do if you spot fraud, and why checking CTEC’s registry can save your refund and your peace of mind.Protect yourself against identity theft, shady pop-up tax shops, and scammers who prey on consumers during tax season.Tune in now.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tax season isn’t just stressful—it’s open season for scammers hunting for your money and personal data. From convincing fake texts to phony websites mimicking the real Franchise Tax Board, fraudsters are upping their game every year. In this episode of Taxpayer Beware, host Ray Davis sits down with Andrew Lepage from the Franchise Tax Board Public Affairs Division to break down the latest tax-related scams, show you what red flags to watch for, and explain exactly how to protect yourself if you receive a suspicious message, call, or email.Want to keep your information—and your refund—safe from scammers? Listen now and arm yourself with the tools you need to stay secure this tax season.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a consumer alert about a series of tax scams and bad social media advice that led thousands of taxpayers to file refund claims they didn’t qualify for. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Christella Sanchez, Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the IRS to identify ways scammers are pretending to be the IRS, and how to spot a scam. Plus, they discuss the false tax credit hoaxes spreading on social media, why you shouldn’t ignore letters from the IRS, what to do if you think you’ve been scammed, and how you can find a legitimate tax preparer to help you. So press play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re starting to get emails and calls from taxpayers who have listened to our podcast, and they’re sharing situations they faced. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Tom O’Saben, Enrolled Agent, CTEC board member and Governmental Relations expert with the National Association of Tax Professionals, and Rebecca Landeros with the Franchise Tax Board Tax Preparer Enforcement Team, to share the real-life story of a tax fraud victim. Ray, Tom, and Rebecca break down all aspects of the victim’s story, detailing the mistakes made along the way, and how you can avoid the same pitfalls. So press play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.