Public Awareness Targets "Ghost" Tax Preparers

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 - 4 comments

CTEC will expand its public awareness campaign to target tax preparers who do not sign client tax returns, also known as “ghost tax preparers.”

CTEC will launch a new microsite, ReportTaxPreparerFraud.org, that will focus on educating the public about ghost tax preparers. The microsite will also be in Spanish and Mandarin.

All CTEC advertisements will promote the new microsite. CTEC will run bus signs and billboards throughout the Los Angeles market in English, Spanish and Mandarin. The decision to advertise in Los Angeles is based on enforcement reports from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB).

Internet advertisements will also run during the 2017 tax season to educate California taxpayers about ghost tax preparers and how to find a California approved tax preparer.

In addition to paid advertisements, CTEC will submit press releases to the media, plus launch a social media campaign that will focus on promoting new You Tube videos regarding ghost tax preparers and how to choose a tax preparer. The videos will be in English and Spanish.

A new version of the 2016 microsite, KnowYourTaxPreparer.org, will continue to be promoted through social media.

The goal of the campaign is to…

• Strategically target California taxpayers who are considered at high risk for choosing a questionable tax preparer.
• Make the message more memorable and sharable through social media.
• Establish an easier method for taxpayers to find a California approved tax preparer.

Through the microsites, CTEC can better track the percentage of taxpayers who took action after seeing a CTEC advertisement, social media post or media report. 

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