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25.1.2.2
(01-01-2003) Indicators of Fraud
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Listed below are examples of fraud indicators.
The following lists are not all-inclusive and are only indicative of the types
of actions taxpayers may take to deceive or defraud.
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Indicators of Fraud—Income
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Omissions of specific items where similar items
are included.
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Omissions of entire sources of income.
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Unexplained failure to report substantial amounts
of income determined to have been received.
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Substantial unexplained increases in net worth,
especially over a period of years.
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Substantial excess of personal expenditures over
available resources.
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Bank deposits from unexplained sources substantially
exceeding reported income.
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Concealment of bank accounts, brokerage accounts,
and other property.
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Inadequate explanation for dealing in large sums
of currency, or the unexplained expenditure of currency.
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Consistent concealment of unexplained currency,
especially in a business not calling for large amounts of cash.
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Failure to deposit receipts to business account,
contrary to normal practices.
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Failure to file a return, especially for a period
of several years although substantial amounts of taxable income were received.
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Cashing checks representing income at check cashing
services and banks other than the taxpayer's.
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Covering up sources of receipts by false description
of source of disclosed income, and/or nontaxable receipts.
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Indicators of Fraud—Expenses
or Deductions
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Substantial overstatement of deductions.
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Substantial amounts of personal expenditures deducted
as business expenses.
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Claiming fictitious deductions.
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Dependency exemption claimed for nonexistent, deceased,
or self-supporting persons.
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Loans of trust funds disguised as purchases or deductions.
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Indicators of Fraud—Books
and Records
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Keeping two sets of books or no books.
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False entries or alterations made on the books and
records, backdated or post dated documents, false invoices, false applications,
statements, other false documents, or applications.
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Invoices are irregularly numbered, unnumbered or
altered.
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Checks made payable to third parties are endorsed
back to the taxpayer. Checks made payable to vendors and other business payees
are cashed by the taxpayer.
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Failure to keep adequate records, concealment of
records, or refusal to make certain records available.
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Variances between treatment of questionable items
on the return as compared with books.
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Intentional under or over footing of columns in
journal or ledger.
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Amounts on return not in agreement with amounts
in books.
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Amounts posted to ledger accounts not in agreement
with source books or records.
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Journalizing of questionable items out of correct
account.
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Recording income items in suspense or asset accounts.
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False receipts to donors by exempt organizations.
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Indicators of Fraud—Allocations
of Income
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Distribution of profits to fictitious partners.
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Inclusion of income or deductions in the return
of a related taxpayer, when difference in tax rates is a factor.
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Indicators of Fraud—Conduct
of Taxpayer
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False statement about a material fact involved in
the examination.
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Attempts to hinder the examination. For example,
failure to answer pertinent questions, repeated cancellations of appointments,
refusal to provide records, threatening potential witnesses, including the
examiner or assaulting the examiner.
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Failure to follow the advice of accountant or attorney.
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Failure to make full disclosure of relevant facts
to the accountant.
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The taxpayer’s knowledge of taxes and business
practices where numerous questionable items appear on the returns.
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Testimony of employees concerning irregular business
practices by the taxpayer.
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Destruction of books and records, especially if
just after examination was started.
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Transfer of assets for purposes of concealment,
or diversion of funds and/or assets by officials or trustees.
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Patterns of consistent failure over several years
to report income fully.
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Proof that the return was incorrect to such an extent
and in respect to items of such character and magnitude as to compel the conclusion
that the falsity was known and deliberate.
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Payment of improper expenses by or for officials
or trustees.
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Willful and intentional failure to execute pension
plan amendments
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Backdating of applications and related documents.
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Making false statements on TEGE determination letter
applications.
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Use of false social security numbers.
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Submission of false Form W–4.
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Submitting a false affidavit.
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Attempts to bribe the examiner.
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Indicators of Fraud—Methods
of Concealment
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Inadequacy of consideration.
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Insolvency of transferor.
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Assets placed in other's names.
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Transfer of all or nearly all of debtors’
property.
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Close relationship between parties to the transfer.
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Transfer made in anticipation of a tax assessment
or while the investigation of a deficiency is pending.
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Reservation of any interest in the property transferred.
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Transaction not in the usual course of business.
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Retention of possession.
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Transactions surrounded by secrecy.
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False entries in books of transferor or transferee.
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Unusual disposition of the consideration received
for the property.
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Use of secret bank accounts for income.
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Deposits into bank accounts under nominee names.
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Conduct of business transactions in false names.
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