Dimond Tax Services

2017 Refunds will be held up for those that get the Earned Income Credit (EIC) or the refund for the child tax credit .. this is due to fraud in the past in these areas .. if you are eligible for these credits you should be aware that your refund will not be as early as before.. be wary of anyone claiming to be able to get you your refund quicker as they may be scammers

not too early to start about doing your taxes .. the following is a check list to be used if you use a paid preparer, but if you do your own, just skip the part about choosing the preparer and read the rest, being prepared will usually save you money http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/07/tax_prep.asp

Telephone scams, they continue to call, posing as IRS agents.. the IRS does not telephone people, if they call and say they are from the IRS and you want to be sure, ask for a call back number, then call the actual irs number to report these people, they are viscious, scaring especially the elderly and those who don't speak English well .. don't fall for their tricks

Not that close to tax time, but there is one big change in refund timing this year.. If you get earned income credit or additional child tax credit, the refunds will be held until Feb 17 .. this measure is taken to reduce the amount of refund fraud that has been occurring .. what the big chains will try to do to you is to sign you up for a loan/advance .. these are expensive.. HRB posted that the cost of this is about $35 .. a lot to pay to get your money a week or so earlier than normal.. use direct deposit and you will get your refund quickly .. and avoid those high extra charges ..

be wary of ID theft, they are going after tax preparers too.. if they get in, then they can steal IDs... I have had about six of these emails, fortunately recognized them as scams .. https://www.irs.gov//new-phishing-scheme-mimics-software-p