As tax season reaches its peak and the April 15 filing deadline looms, the Internal Revenue Service is alerting taxpayers to be vigilant against scammers trying to defraud them.
According to Eric Bronnenkant, head of tax at Edelman Financial Engines, scam activities surge during this period. This uptick occurs because individuals are already anticipating communications from the IRS regarding refunds, payments, or account updates, he informed The Post.
Scammers exploit the anxiety and heightened alertness associated with impending tax deadlines, aiming to catch people off guard and stressed, Bronnenkant elaborated.
“These messages often create a false sense of urgency, suggesting issues with a tax return, missed payments, or refund problems, prompting people to act swiftly without verifying the source,” he said. “Because taxpayers are preoccupied with meeting deadlines and tracking their refunds, fraudulent messages can more easily blend in with legitimate IRS communications.”
The IRS annually updates its “Dirty Dozen” list, highlighting the most prevalent tax scams, with the latest revision available for 2026.
The list represents “the worst of the worst” scams that pose a threat to the financial information of taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals. With a variety of common scams that taxpayers could come across at any time, the IRS advises people to stay cautious year-round, as scammers “will always be on the lookout” for new ways to obtain money, personal information and data, Bronnenkant said.
“Scammers are also becoming more sophisticated, often using personal information or even artificial intelligence tools that mimic legitimate communications from trusted institutions and trusted individuals.”
He noted that it’s not uncommon, for instance, for a grandparent to receive a call using AI to impersonate a grandchild’s voice, saying that they are in tax trouble and need funds immediately.
“It’s important to stay calm and avoid responding to urgent requests for personal information or payment. Scammers often rely on emotional or financial pressure, so taking a moment to verify the request through official channels can help prevent costly mistakes,” Bronnenkant said.
“Tax scams evolve each year, but they tend to rely on the same tactics of creating urgency, impersonating trusted institutions like the IRS, or promising unusually large refunds. This is why cybersecurity and scam awareness are key to understanding in order to be clear.”
Bronnenkant advised taxpayers to use the IRS Identity Protection (IP) PIN program, which provides a six-digit number that you can request on an established IRS online account. The PIN adds an extra layer of protection, is chosen by the IRS, and has no relationship to any other PIN that a taxpayer might have, he explained.
“Taking simple steps like verifying unexpected requests, securing accounts, and using tools like IP PIN can go a long way toward financial protection,” Bronnenkant shared.
Here are the “Dirty Dozen” scams to look out for:
IRS impersonation by email and text
Scammers will often send emails, direct messages and texts that appear to be from the IRS, often containing scary language and QR codes or links that direct people to fake IRS websites. The fraudulent sites direct users to “verify” accounts, enter personal information or claim refunds.
The IRS warns against clicking on any links or opening attachments from unexpected messages and to report suspicious phishing emails or messages to phishing@irs.gov.
Clicking on unsolicited communication from someone claiming to be the IRS may result in the installation of dangerous malware on personal devices, which may ultimately prevent a taxpayer’s access to their files or personal information.
AI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone
Robocalls, voice mimicry and spoofed caller IDs are all forms of phone scams that can trick taxpayers by appearing to be legitimate. The IRS noted that they generally contact taxpayers by mail first — and they don’t leave urgent or threatening pre-recorded messages, call to demand immediate payments or threaten arrest.
If you do get a suspicious IRS-related call, hang up immediately and report the scam to the IRS.
Calling out artificial intelligence, the revenue service urged taxpayers not to rely on AI-generated responses to complex tax questions, and they should always verify calculations or information provided by AI.
Fake charities
Scammers often prey on tragedies and disasters by creating fake charities to collect money and personal information.
Those who give cash or goods to a charity may be able to claim a deduction on their tax return — but only if the money went to a qualified tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS.
People should be wary of swindling charities trying to take advantage of taxpayers looking to give to a cause.
Misleading social media advice
Taxpayers need to be wary of social media, too; during the 2025 fiscal year, the IRS reported over 600 social media impersonators.
The IRS and the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats warn taxpayers not to fall for misinformation and disinformation spreading on social media, as they’re a “major driver” of tax scams.
Viral “tax hacks” can encourage people to file returns with false information or claim credits that they don’t qualify for. This can lead to delays in refunds, audits, penalties — or worse.
Instead, follow advice directly from the IRS, tax professionals and other reputable sources. Taxpayers who knowingly file fraudulent tax returns could potentially face civil and criminal penalties.
Identity theft with IRS online account
Scammers can try to obtain access to someone’s IRS online account through stolen personal information and data. They may also pose as helpers to collect sensitive information when someone sets up their account.
Taxpayers should create their account directly through the IRS site — not unsolicited third parties that offer assistance. The IRS provides official guidance that people can use when establishing their accounts. If you think your tax identity has been compromised, visit IRS.gov/idtheft.
Abuse of undistributed long-term capital gains claims
There has been an increase in the abuse of Form 2439, which allows shareholders of certain investment funds of real estate trusts to claim a refundable credit for taxes paid on undistributed capital gains.
Schemes identified by the IRS include overstated or fabricated form claims, such as those tied to organizations that aren’t legitimate. The IRS has also seen false claims linked to real, well-known organizations.
Misleading ‘self-employment tax credit’ promotions
Scammers are using misleading claims about a broad “self-employment tax credit” to urge inaccurate tax filings, leading to improper refunds. Many taxpayers don’t qualify for these kinds of credits.
The IRS warned taxpayers only to rely on trusted sources and qualified tax professionals, again advising against social media promotions.
‘Ghost preparers’
A “ghost preparer” will prepare a return but refuse to sign it and/or refuse to provide a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). If that happens, consider it a major red flag. A taxpayer is legally responsible for what is filed — even if by a “ghost preparer.”
The IRS warns taxpayers to avoid preparers who won’t sign the return and to never sign a blank or incomplete return.
Non-cash charitable contribution scams
Some tax scams use syndicated conservation easements or art for inflated appraisals of donated property. Scammers will promise to either eliminate or substantially reduce the tax liability on these donated items.
Fabricated wage or withholding data
Scammers will tell taxpayers to overstate their withholding amounts, sometimes described as “other withholding,” by reporting zero or little income on incorrect forms in order to concoct a larger refund.
As the IRS plainly warns: “Inaccurate claims can lead to penalties and enforcement action.”
There are multiple variations of the overstated withholding credit schemes, including those involving:
- Forms W-2 and W-2G
- Forms 1099-R, 1099-NEC, 1099-DIV, 1099-OID, and 1099-B
- Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend
- Schedule K-1 with Withholding Reported
- Unspecified Source of Withholding Credit Claimed
Spear-phishing and malware campaigns
Scammers will send tax professionals and businesses “new client” or “document request” emails that contain malicious links or attachments that ultimately steal client data or access systems. Even tax pros, businesses and individuals need to be hyperaware of suspicious requests and unusual behavior before sharing sensitive information or responding to an email.
Warning signs can include unexpected requests for sensitive information, mismatched or unfamiliar sender addresses, urgent payment demands, or links to websites that do not clearly originate from IRS.gov.
‘Offer in Compromise mills’
The Offer in Compromise program assists certain eligible taxpayers in resolving tax debt when they’re unable to pay in full, but aggressive or misleading OIC marketing, also known as “OIC mills,” will overpromise results and charge high fees to people who don’t even qualify for the program.
Taxpayers who want to check their eligibility can do so using free IRS tools.
