The IRS has offered some tips to taxpayers about scammers using fake charities to exploit unsuspecting donors in the aftermath of Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Donors can use the Tax-Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool on IRS.gov to:
- Verify the legitimacy of a charity.
- Check eligibility for tax-deductible contributions.
- Search for information on an organization’s tax-exempt status.
Further, to avoid fake charities, the IRS has advised taxpayers to:
- Always verify charities to avoid confusion with similar names.
- Be cautious about donation requests; avoid giving gift card numbers.
- Not disclose personal information.
- Not give in to pressure; take time to verify charities.
Additionally, the IRS has encouraged taxpayers to report suspicious charities to the FBI’s resources on Charity and Disaster Fraud. Finally, the IRS reminded taxpayers who give money or goods to a charity to claim a deduction only if donations go to a qualified tax-exempt organization.
