CFO Jimmy Patronis: Know Your Rights as a Taxpayer this Tax Day

~ CFO Highlights Measures to Hold the IRS Accountable to Floridians ~

TALLAHASSEE, FL. – Ahead of Tax Day on Monday, April 15, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is highlighting taxpayer rights and encouraging Floridians to understand resources available to them as taxpayers. Floridians are expected to pay billions in federal income taxes this year, and the CFO has made it his mission to hold the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) accountable and provide information and resources for taxpayers.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “This Tax Day, I want Floridians to remember one thing - the IRS works for you! Don’t allow the federal tax authorities to intimidate you or your business into paying more than your fair share. You have rights as a taxpayer and that includes the timely processing of claims and refunds, the right to quality service and privacy, and the right to appeal any IRS decision. This tax season, make sure you are using a qualified tax professional to help file your taxes, and beware of taking bad tax advice from apps like TikTok. Taxpayers should also be on the lookout for tax fraud schemes and scams as bad actors look to take advantage of the tax deadline. Remember – if it sounds too good to be true – it probably is.

“It’s no secret that the bureaucrats in Washington have an insatiable appetite for taxpayer money, and they are going to go where the economy is good, including the state of Florida. The federal government is running a deficit, so for every $3 in revenue the IRS takes in, $4 goes out the door. I’ve always said, you spend your money better than DC, and I will not stand by while Floridians pay for Washington’s spending problems. If you feel targeted in anyway this tax season, report it to my office immediately.”

Florida IRS Transparency Portal
CFO Patronis created the IRS Transparency Portal for individuals, private businesses, or non-profits to report evidence of discrimination by IRS operatives and will help Florida identify patterns of discrimination where specific IRS agents are targeting certain political causes, practices, or beliefs. Floridians can use this information to assess how the IRS is targeting citizens of this state, and the reports are made available to respective Congressional committees that provide oversight of the IRS. This information is used to identify IRS targets and assess their frequency and intensity. Report IRS harassment by clicking HERE.

Florida Tax Advocate
Passed during the 2024 Legislative Session, CFO Patronis fought to create the Florida Tax Advocate to give Florida taxpayers a seat at the table when IRS issues arise. Once signed by the Governor, the legislation will allow the Department of Financial Services to begin the rule-making process to establish the office to support Florida taxpayers. Read more HERE.

Beware of Tax Scams
Every Tax Day, scam artists appear like clockwork. They sometimes use a different tactic, but the central theme is scammers posing as the IRS trying to trick people into paying up or sharing personal information. HERE are a few of the most common tax scams and red flags to watch out for from the Better Business Bureau.

Additional IRS Tools

If you would like to contact the IRS directly or search for more tips and resources on filing your taxes individually or for your business, please visit the IRS website for more information HERE.

###

About CFO Jimmy Patronis  
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).