When it comes to selecting a tax preparer, the stakes are high. The thought of potential mistakes or falling victim to fraud can be daunting. But fear not! Join Ray Davis as he hosts an exciting podcast series packed with insightful discussions. Tune in to hear real tax scam stories shared by tax professionals, get a sneak peek into the world of enforcement specialists who knock on doors, and so much more. Engage with us now and uncover the secrets of the tax world!Visit ctec.org for more information. Also in Spanish at contribuyentecuidese.org...
Angela Jones explains how to get help with tax issues, real solutions for hardship, and why ignoring notices can cost you.
4 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT
Spotting Tax Scams Before They Spot You
Alma Galvan and Ray Davis of the BBB share essential strategies for identifying and avoiding current tax scams while verifying legitimate tax professionals.
4 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT
How to Outsmart Tax Scams
Andrew Lepage and Ray Davis expose current Franchise Tax Board scams and offer practical methods to safeguard personal data and tax refunds.
4 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT
Avoiding Social Media Scammers
Christella Sanchez, Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the IRS, joins Ray Davis on Taxpayer Beware to discuss how to avoid social media tax scams.
4 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT
Beware the Scam: A Tax Fraud Victim’s Story
Tom O’Saben & Rebecca Landeros join Ray Davis on Taxpayer Beware to discuss the story of a real-life victim of tax fraud, & learn from his mistakes.
4 Feb 2025TRANSCRIPT
What to Know About Disaster Relief Fraud
Rebecca Landeros joins Ray Davis to discuss tax scams after disasters, spotting fake preparers, and how to report fraud to stay safe during tough times.
19 Mar 2024TRANSCRIPT
How to Spot Tax Scams and Avoid Fraud
Understanding taxes is complicated. Hiring a tax professional can help, and it’s something millions of people do. But what if the tax professional you hire is actually a scammer? On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Antonio Vazquez (https://www.boe.ca.gov/vazquez/about.htm) of the California State Board of Equalization (https://www.boe.ca.gov/), to help illuminate how to hire legitimate tax pros, how to spot scammers, and what to do if you get scammed. Antonio shares insights on what ghost tax preparers are and how they operate, common red flags, what questions to ask your prospective tax professional, and much more. So press play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.
Follow Us
Twitter @CATaxEdCouncil (https://twitter.com/CATaxEdCouncil)
Facebook @CATaxEdCouncil (https://www.facebook.com/CATaxEdCouncil) /@CTECEnEspanol (https://www.facebook.com/CTECEnEspanol)
Instagram @CATaxEdCouncil (https://instagram.com/cataxedcouncil)
YouTube @CATAXED (https://www.youtube.com/user/CATAXED/feed)
TikTok @cataxedcouncil (https://www.tiktok.com/@cataxedcouncil)
Presented by The California Tax Education Council
www.CTEC.org (https://www.ctec.org/)
22 Feb 2024TRANSCRIPT
Exempt or Not Exempt?
Tax professionals doing business in California must meet certain state requirements – but the details on these requirements can be confusing, especially when it comes to who is exempt, and who isn’t. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Rebecca Landeros from the California Franchise Tax Board Enforcement Team to clear up confusion you might have around these state requirements. Rebecca shares insights on situations like out of state businesses doing California returns, volunteer services, and she talks through some specific scenarios that should help enlighten the issue. So hit play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.
Follow Us
Twitter @CATaxEdCouncil (https://twitter.com/CATaxEdCouncil)
Facebook @CATaxEdCouncil (https://www.facebook.com/CATaxEdCouncil) /@CTECEnEspanol (https://www.facebook.com/CTECEnEspanol)
Instagram @CATaxEdCouncil (https://instagram.com/cataxedcouncil)
YouTube @CATAXED (https://www.youtube.com/user/CATAXED/feed)
TikTok @cataxedcouncil (https://www.tiktok.com/@cataxedcouncil)
Presented by The California Tax Education Council
www.CTEC.org (https://www.ctec.org/)
25 Jan 2024TRANSCRIPT
Choosing the Right Tax Pro for You
In California, only attorneys, CPAs, CTEC-registered tax preparers, and enrolled agents are considered legally qualified tax professionals - but how do you know which one of these options is right for you? On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with three representatives to understand the differences and how to decide which one is the right fit. Jen Bogart from The California Society of CPAs, Fernando Angell, a CTEC director, and Tom O’Saben from the National Association of Tax Professionals share insights on the different types of tax pros, how to decide which one is right for your financial situation, and how to spot a scam that looks like a good deal. Hit play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.
Follow Us
Twitter @CATaxEdCouncil (https://twitter.com/CATaxEdCouncil)
Facebook @CATaxEdCouncil (https://www.facebook.com/CATaxEdCouncil) /@CTECEnEspanol (https://www.facebook.com/CTECEnEspanol)
Instagram @CATaxEdCouncil (https://instagram.com/cataxedcouncil)
YouTube @CATAXED (https://www.youtube.com/user/CATAXED/feed)
TikTok @cataxedcouncil (https://www.tiktok.com/@cataxedcouncil)
Presented by The California Tax Education Council
www.CTEC.org (https://www.ctec.org/)
11 Jan 2024TRANSCRIPT
Finding Help & Avoiding Scams
When it comes to filing taxes, we could all use a little help. But how do you know who's legally qualified to assist, and what happens if they make a mistake? Or worse – what if you become a victim of fraud? Welcome to Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, a show focused on providing the right knowledge and information to help you find the best help, and avoid the latest scams. On each episode, host Ray Davis sits down with a variety of expert guests to share their firsthand insights and experiences, to equip you with the tools and information you need as you prepare for tax season and beyond. So join us for every episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council.
Follow Us
Twitter @CATaxEdCouncil (https://twitter.com/CATaxEdCouncil)
Facebook @CATaxEdCouncil (https://www.facebook.com/CATaxEdCouncil)
Instagram @CATaxEdCouncil (https://instagram.com/cataxedcouncil)
YouTube @CATAXED (https://www.youtube.com/user/CATAXED/feed)
Presented by The California Tax Education Council
www.CTEC.org (https://www.ctec.org/)
30 Jan 2023
Tax Preparers' Legal Responsibilities to You
Let's face it. Tax law is complex. So complex it's the reason why California requires tax preparers to be educated on tax laws. But is hiring a tax professional the right choice for you?
Brandon Chanley, chats with Kelly Phillips Erb, tax attorney and senior editor at Forbes, Susie Dimaggio, enrolled agent, and Fernando Angell, CTEC registrant and host of the CTEC Spanish Taxpayer Beware podcast.
Learn when you should hire a tax pro and when it's okay to go it alone.
5 Dec 2022
The Scary Truth About Ghost Tax Preparers
They're a problem we keep seeing year after year, we call them ghost tax preparers. Every tax season, they'll hang a shingle over a tax preparation service, offering it for a low fee, or sometimes just word of mouth to get business. Once April 15th comes and goes, they disappear like a ghost - leaving their victims to deal with their mess.
Unfortunately, sometimes victims don't even know there's an issue until they get a notice from the IRS or the Franchise Tax Board or year or more later. Brandon Chanley chats with Christella Sanchez of the IRS and Rebecca Landeros with the Franchise Tax Board enforcement team. Learn what to know if this happens to you and where you can go to for help.
28 Sept 2022
You're Facing a Tax Issue. Now What?
It can happen to the most honest of us. It could be fraud. It could be a financial issue. But it happened. You're facing a tax issue. Is there anywhere you can go to for help?
CTEC Chair, Brandon Chanley, chats with the Brenda Voet - Taxpayer Advocate for the Franchise Tax Board. Hear stories of how she's helped taxpayers with taxing situations and who you can trust for help.
20 Jan 2022
You're Facing a Taxing Issue. Now What?
It can happen to the most honest of us. It could be fraud. It could be a financial issue. But it happened. You're facing a tax issue. Is there anywhere you can go to for help?
CTEC Chair, Brandon Chanley, chats with Steve Sims - former Taxpayer Advocate for the Franchise Tax Board and nationally-recognized state tax expert. Hear stories of how he's helped taxpayers with taxing situations and who you can trust for help.
17 Feb 2021
How to Spot Tax Scams and Avoid Fraud I Episode 2
From fake phone calls and emails to targeting your social media posts - scammers are getting more creative. Stealing not only your identity, but your tax refund. In fact, most victims have no idea it happened to them until they try to file their tax return.
CTEC Chair, Brandon Chanley, chats with Elias Dominguez from the Franchise Tax Board Public Affairs Division. Hear what state is doing to stop fraud, including true stories, and the state's advice to taxpayers.
You can also find more tips on CTEC.org with links on how to find and verify a legal tax preparer.
Inside a recent episode
How to Effectively Navigate Tax Issues
Published 3 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So we ask that you go through normal channels first and if FTP's normal channels are unsuccessful, my team is here to help. Thank you so much Angela. Are there any like typical issues or any stories or situations that you can share that you help with? Sure, usually we help with taxpayers who may be down on their luck, such as someone who's experiencing a job loss, homelessness, a divorce, and my team can often help with navigating paying their tax obligations and make that blow just a little bit softer and more manageable. Franchise Tax Board does have an installment agreement process and oftentimes my team can help stretch that obligation out to anywhere from three to five years to make that payment a little bit more manageable so that the taxpayers able to manage their finances, they're able to make that rent obligation, put food on the table, put gas in the car. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
