The attached interview above is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment.
The Better Business Bureau warns taxpayers of scams during the current tax season.
Jessie Schmidt is South Dakota director for the Better Business Bureau. She recommends filing taxes as early as possible to beat scammers to the punch.
“They fill out a fake tax return using your Social Security number and have a refund sent to them," Schmidt says. "Then when you do go and you file, it shows a return has already been filed, and that is a mess.”
Schmidt said W-2 forms should arrive by the end of this month. She urges people to be vigilant about the arrival of these forms from employers. Schmidt said to double-check the forms are correct and to research tax preparers.
“If you have not had a tax preparer help you out before, go online and check them out at BBB.org," Schmidt said. "There are a lot of great certified tax preparers across South Dakota. It’s easy to check them out."
Schmidt said filing online gives taxpayers immediate feedback if someone has fraudulently filed their returns.
The Better Business Bureau says staff shortages combined with pandemic-related workloads will slow processing by the IRS.
