Aug. 16, 2024 Dozens of organizations across the nation’s tax industry as well as state tax agencies have endorsed the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats or CASST cooperative approach. Among those supporting the effort are these groups: National Association of Computerized Tax Processors: “Over the past 55 years, the National Association of Computerized Tax Processors (NACTP) has collaborated with the IRS and state departments of revenue to create standardized solutions that streamline tax filing and information reporting. The formation of the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST) highlights the strong partnerships between private industry and government agencies, working together to protect taxpayers by developing actionable fraud-fighting tools and professional standards,” said NACTP President Jared Ballew. Association of International Certified Professional Accountants: “Since its inception, the AICPA has worked tirelessly to protect the profession’s interest, benefiting taxpayers, tax practitioners and tax administration. For over a decade, the AICPA has been vocal about identity theft and the need to protect taxpayers and practitioners. In that same spirit of advocacy, the AICPA is pleased to join the IRS’s Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST) that is dedicated to combatting the growing wave of scams creating widespread fraud,” said AICPA’s Vice President of Tax Policy & Advocacy, Melanie Lauridsen. “We believe that together, through the reduction of fraud, we can work to protect taxpayers from those that look to exploit the vulnerable.” American Coalition for Taxpayer Rights: “The members of the American Coalition for Taxpayer Rights (ACTR) proudly join the Internal Revenue Service and the state departments of revenue in launching this proactive effort to combat and defeat the always-evolving scams and schemes used by fraudsters to try to steal from the American taxpayer. ACTR has closely collaborated with the IRS and states for nearly a decade in the IRS Security Summit in fighting identity theft tax refund fraud. This new Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats, spearheaded by Commissioner Werfel, will work alongside the continuing Security Summit process and recognizes that that the federal and state governments and the private sector must be flexible and nimble in addressing the challenges posed by criminals to our tax administration system. Our shared goal is clear -- to defeat criminals and bring them to justice and to protect taxpayers.” Intuit: “Intuit TurboTax is committed to being a part of this collaborative effort and continuing to leverage technology to find innovative ways to combat fraud in the tax industry,” said Mark Notarainni, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Intuit’s Consumer Group. "The Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats is an important step in our ongoing efforts to protect taxpayers and our nation's tax system. By working together, we can better identify and prevent fraud, as well as educate taxpayers on how to protect themselves from scams.” H&R Block: “As a national leader in tax preparation services protecting our customers from fraudulent activity has long been a focus at H&R Block,” said Curtis Campbell, President, Global Consumer Tax and Chief Product Officer. “Because tax scams are a systemic problem, effectively rooting it out depends on a collaborative approach. We're pleased to participate in the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats to help protect taxpayers and strengthen the tax system.” Jackson Hewitt Tax Service: "The increasing sophistication of bad actors who seek to exploit hardworking American taxpayers is one of the biggest challenges facing our tax ecosystem,” said Jackson Hewitt CEO Greg McFarland. “All of us in the tax administration community must step up to the plate and play our part in addressing this threat and making tax filing safer and less stressful for millions of Americans. I applaud the IRS for recognizing the important role that both public- and private-sector entities have to play in this effort, and our entire team at Jackson Hewitt looks forward to continued participation in the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats to benefit taxpayers.” Liberty Tax: "At Liberty Tax, we are dedicated to safeguarding our clients and the broader taxpayer community from the evolving threat of scams and schemes. As one of the largest national tax preparation companies, we are pleased to support and collaborate with the IRS to protect taxpayers from these fraudulent activities. Our commitment to this effort by the IRS to protect taxpayers is unwavering,” said Liberty Tax CEO Scott Terell. “We are grateful to join the IRS’s Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats; together, we aim to enhance the integrity of the tax system and ensure a secure filing experience for all taxpayers." National Association of Enrolled Agents: “Enrolled agents are the frontline of assisting taxpayers and providing quality, ethical service,” said Megan Killian, Executive Vice President, National Association of Enrolled Agents. “The lack of minimum standards for return preparers exposes taxpayers to potential tax deficiencies, penalties, lost refunds, or other mistakes. NAEA supports the CASST Project and looks forward to partnering with the coalition to educate taxpayers and raise public awareness of these harmful scams and schemes.” National Association of Tax Professionals: “The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) fully endorses the formation of the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST). Protecting taxpayers from scams is not just a goal but a responsibility we share as key stakeholders in the tax ecosystem. This collaboration brings together the best resources and expertise from both public and private sectors, enhancing our ability to safeguard the integrity of our tax system and the financial stability of all Americans. We are proud to join state agencies, the IRS, and our industry partners in this vital initiative,” said NATP CEO Scott Artman. National Society of Accountants: “NSA supports all efforts to protect the integrity of the tax system. With the complexity of the tax code, many taxpayers don’t understand they may be taken advantage of until much later. We must do all we can for the good of our members and the profession,” said NSA Director of Industry Relations Evan Lemoine. National Society of Tax Professionals: “The National Society of Tax Professionals, representing their members around the country, support the IRS in their efforts to protect taxpayers and tax professionals from the devastating effects of financial scams and schemes. We are actively involved with the ad hoc coalition and their commitment to educate and support taxpayers and their professional advisors,” said Keith Huebel, NSTP Government Relations Director, and Nina Tross, NSTP Liaison for Tax and Advocacy. OnLine Taxes: “We welcome the coalition’s efforts to combat the increasing scams and schemes, safeguard our citizens’ financial security, and empower them with the knowledge to protect themselves and uphold the integrity of our tax system,” said OnLine Taxes-OLT.com President John Premkumar. Padgett: “Our tax system and those who work within it face growing threats from misleading schemes and scams that prey on innocent taxpayers and small business owners. These scams, often amplified through social media, promise big refunds but ultimately harm well-intentioned individuals. Padgett commends Commissioner Werfel’s leadership in forming the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats, a critical step in protecting taxpayers and preserving the integrity of our tax system. Addressing this issue requires a united effort across the entire tax ecosystem, and we look forward to collaborating with the IRS, state tax agencies, and industry partners to enhance outreach and education,” said Padgett President Roger Harris. Pathward: “Pathward continues to be proactive in collaborating with and supporting efforts to combat fraud and to protect the integrity of the tax ecosystem. We welcome industry efforts to protect taxpayers and tax preparers and look forward to working within the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats platform,” said Mike Lister, Division President of Pathward, N.A.’s Tax strategic business line. TaxHawk: “TaxHawk continues its commitment as a charter member of the Security Summit to work with the IRS and other partners to safeguard the integrity of America’s tax system,” said Calvin Whitehead, VP of Product Development and Industry Relations at TaxHawk, Inc. “The 'Scams and Schemes' initiative is an important extension of what we already do. By collaborating with the IRS, state, and industry partners in the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats, we take another significant step together to enhance security and ensure a safer tax filing experience for all.” TaxSlayer: “Spreading awareness is critical to protecting America’s taxpayers from emerging scams and schemes,” said TaxSlayer CEO Jamie Saxe. “TaxSlayer is proud to partner with other industry leaders, states, and the IRS to help educate the public while striving to create a safer tax ecosystem for all.” Taxwell: “Taxwell is committed to protecting taxpayers, and we are excited to collaborate with IRS in this effort through CASST. We look forward to seeing taxpayers reap the benefits of this robust partnership,” said John Sapp, Taxwell VP Brand Ambassador. Thomson Reuters: “Establishing this coalition marks a significant step in our fight against tax-related scams. By uniting our resources, we enhance our ability to protect taxpayers and the U.S. tax system’s integrity,” said Thomson Reuters President, Tax & Accounting, Elizabeth Beastrom. “We understand that taxpayers are increasingly anxious about the rise in scams. These activities threaten their financial well-being and trust in the tax system. By working together, we can ensure that taxpayers feel secure and supported, knowing that we are actively combating these threats.” Cash App and Square: “With the proliferation of scams and illicit activity across the financial sector, now more than ever it is critical that industry and government unite in the fight to protect taxpayers across America,” said Cash App and Square Tax Policy Lead Julie Magee. “On behalf of Cash App and Square, we’re proud to join the IRS’ Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats as we work to improve information sharing and improve our collective infrastructure.” Green Dot: “As a charter member of the IRS Security Summit, Green Dot Corporation and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group are pleased to continue partnering with the IRS, state partners and other industry leaders to expose and prevent scams and schemes that exploit taxpayers and cost Americans billions each year,” said Green Dot President and CEO George Gresham. “By taking practical steps to combat fraud and increase awareness of trending scams and schemes, we’re helping protect taxpayers from the lasting repercussions of fraudulent filing.”
