Tax-time is a golden moment for millions of Americans, as they receive billions of dollars in tax refunds. This includes the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which helps 27 million families and is the largest anti-poverty program in this country. Yet when taxpayers seek the assistance of paid tax preparers to access these refunds and benefits, they face a minefield of consumer protection risks. The following report discusses the risks and problems faced by taxpayers who use paid tax preparers.