Six Scams to Watch Out for During Tax Season.
The 2026 tax filing season (for 2025 returns) begins on January 26, meaning fraudsters are stepping up their efforts to steal taxpayers’ information and money. Here are a few tax scams to watch out for this year.
Tax Dispute Resolution Scam
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers about a telephone scam currently circulating. Callers pose as employees of the “Department of Tax Controversy Enforcement,” the “Tax Mediation and Resolution Agency,” or some other official-sounding (but bogus) government agency. They claim you owe taxes and promise to help you apply for an “IRS Tax Liability Reduction Program” (also a bogus program).
The scammers’ goal is to obtain your Social Security number (SSN) and possibly an advance payment for their services. They will likely pressure you and create a sense of urgency, using phrases like “this may be our only attempt to contact you.” Don’t fall for this. If you genuinely owe taxes, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send you a notice by mail, and you will have options to settle the debt directly with the agency.
Tax-Related Phishing Scams
A common tax scam involves fake text messages or emails that appear to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) but are actually phishing campaigns. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s latest warning reminds consumers that any message asking them to verify their identity to receive a tax refund is a scam. You may receive a text message or email “from” the IRS or your state’s tax agency notifying you that your refund has been processed, and all you need to do is provide some information via a provided link to receive it.
As with any phishing scam, this directly hands over your information to the scammers. Neither the IRS nor your state’s tax office will contact you via text message, email, or social media, and you should never click links in unsolicited messages.
Fraud using fake identification cards of tax service employees
Next comes the general category of fraud involving counterfeit IRS documents. This includes both the aforementioned cases and fake letters from the IRS that urgently demand sensitive personal information or payment of outstanding taxes. Sometimes these letters request payment by gift card, which is always a suspicious sign. Letters may also mention an unclaimed tax refund and request a photo of your ID.
Scammers may also call people about tax receipts or tax refunds, posing as employees of the IRS or another agency that provides government benefits. They may also claim that your information is being used for a crime. If the caller threatens you or demands payment, hang up immediately.
Tax fraud
If you hire a tax professional to help you complete your tax return, you should check them out before handing them your information. At best, the tax consultant may lack the necessary qualifications and experience; at worst, they may falsify your return or pocket your tax refund. A “ghost” tax professional will deceive you by not signing your return after they prepare it.
You are legally responsible for paying your taxes, so exercise due diligence and review your return carefully before signing it. Don’t pay for services in cash, and always get a receipt.
Identity theft tax fraud
This scam typically involves a fraudster filing a tax return using your name and Social Security number (SSN) and pocketing your tax refund. You may not realize you’ve been targeted until you file your real return and receive a duplicate tax return notification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To prevent this, set up an Identity Protection PIN with the IRS. This six-digit number changes every calendar year, preventing anyone from filing under your SSN or ITIN without it. Keep in mind that the IRS will never request your IP PIN, so any message requesting one is also a scam.
IRS-Enabled Scams
Finally, scammers may contact you and offer paid services that you can do for free. For example, you can easily create an online tax account without having to pay anyone or share your personal information with a third party. Anyone offering unsolicited assistance in creating your account, settling your tax debt, or otherwise managing your tax return or refund (especially for a fee) is a scammer.
How to protect yourself from tax fraud
As we mentioned, be vigilant for common scams, such as unsolicited messages, a sense of urgency, and demands for money or information. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses specific methods to contact taxpayers , and you should know how to verify the authenticity of mailed notices and other forms of communication. You can always call the IRS directly to confirm that they are telling you the truth. Don’t click links in text messages, emails, or social media posts—instead, go directly to IRS.gov and log in to your account there.
If you don’t plan to file your tax return yourself, contact a qualified tax professional and request an IP PIN to protect your Social Security number from fraudulent filings. Consider filing your return early and electronically; this will also speed up the processing of your tax refund.