Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill urged residents on April 15 to be cautious of tax-related scams as Tax Day arrives. Murrill said her office wants to ensure that consumers file their taxes safely and correctly.
The warning comes as many people in Louisiana prepare and submit their state and federal income taxes, making them potential targets for scammers. Protecting citizens from fraud is part of the legal efforts conducted by the Louisiana Department of Justice, which works to preserve the state’s culture and heritage according to the official website.
“We want make sure that when you file your taxes, you do so safely and correctly,” said General Murrill.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division highlighted several common scams. One involves scammers posing as Internal Revenue Service agents requesting personal or financial information through email, text messages, or social media. Another scam features individuals pretending to be legitimate tax preparers who charge large fees but fail to deliver services. To avoid this, officials recommend using reputable companies or preparers recommended by trusted sources. The IRS also provides a Federal Tax Return Preparer directory for finding legitimate help in local areas, and some taxpayers may qualify for free filing through IRS Direct File.
A third scam targets those with tax debt; fraudsters promise debt relief after collecting large upfront fees but often do not follow through on negotiations with the IRS. Suspected schemes can be reported by emailing phishing@irs.gov or calling 1-800-908-4490. State residents may also submit a consumer dispute form at www.aglizmurrill.com.
Murrill leads the Louisiana Department of Justice as attorney general according to the official website. The department serves as the primary legal office for Louisiana under an independently elected attorney general according to its website, providing services statewide as reported by its official site. It focuses on protecting constitutional rights and offering legal resources for citizens according to its website. Murrill has challenged federal overreach in more than 35 cases during her tenure according to the official site.
Louisiana state income taxes are due May 15.
