WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers, tribal communities, businesses and tax professionals about promoters selling fake “Tribal Tax Credits” that do not exist under federal law. Promoters are falsely claiming that these credits can reduce federal tax liabilities or generate refunds.
Promoters market these fake credits generically as “Tribal Tax Credits,” “Native American Tax Credits,” “Sovereign Tribal Tax Credits,” or similar names. These federal tax credits do not exist, and taxpayers who claim them may face civil and criminal penalties.
“Protecting taxpayers and the integrity of the tax system remains central to the IRS mission,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. “For that reason, the IRS will always confront abusive and illegal tax schemes that, if left unchallenged, could undermine confidence in our tax system.”
Promoters typically encourage taxpayers to purchase the purported credits from an entity they claim is associated with a tribal community. They may promise a significant return on investment by reducing an existing tax liability or generating a tax refund, and they may pressure taxpayers to act quickly.
Promoters may also urge taxpayers who previously claimed these fake credits to challenge the IRS during an audit. A federal tax return claiming a nonexistent Tribal Tax Credit contains a false claim, regardless of whether a refund was issued initially based on the fake Tribal Tax Credit.
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