Tax 411: Tips to avoid tax scams CBS 13's April Hettinger speaks with the IRS YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Now that the tax filing deadline has been pushed back a month, you have a little extra time to get that paperwork in. Taxes are now due by May 17th, but an extension can be requested for up to October 15th. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says 55% of Americans use a paid tax preparer. IRS agent Brian Watson came to Yuma to let residents know there are some things to look out for. "A ghost preparer is someone that you pay and they file the return for you and they prepare the return, but they don't put their name on or their PTIN in it and you have to ask, 'why aren't they willing to put their name on it?' A lot of times, those individuals, those ghost preparers they disappear when the tax season is over," Watson said.