Politics & Government

Rhode Island State House Passes Bill To Protect Tax Filers

The legislation would protect filers from fraudulent tax prep services.

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island House passed a bill to protect tax filers from fraudulent or illegal tax preparation services.

“Improperly or fraudulently filed taxes can come with severe consequences and penalties for unsuspecting tax filers,” state Rep. Alex D. Marszalkowski, who sponsored the legislation, said in a media release.

"This is an important consumer protection bill that will protect tax filers from being taken advantage of or seriously harmed from nefarious tax preparers," said Marszalkowski, D-Cumberland.

Find out what's happening in Across Rhode Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The legislation would create penalties for tax preparers that purposefully mislead their clients or act as ghost preparers of tax returns, according to the release.

"It would also require the tax administrator to publish a list of tax preparers who have had their privileges to prepare returns revoked or suspended," the release said.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Find out what's happening in Across Rhode Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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