Top Tax Scams for 2026
The IRS has released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams to educate taxpayers about tax and finance fraud — especially identity theft schemes. The outreach effort reminds taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to watch out for scams, knowing that thieves continuously adjust their pitches. Criminals will always look for new ways to obtain money and personally identifiable information and data.
What’s new on the list this year? Abusive undistributed long-term capital gains claims tied to Form 2439, Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains. Identified schemes involve overstated or fabricated forms tied to organizations that aren’t legitimate investment funds or real estate investment trusts or fake claims falsely linked to real, well-known organizations. Improper claims may result in refund delays, audits, penalties or enforcement action.
Watch out for these, too
While you should be cautious year-round, tax season makes you especially vulnerable. Here are 10 other key scams to watch for:
- Scammers sending emails, texts and direct messages appearing to be from the IRS. These messages use alarming language and QR codes but direct you to fake IRS websites to verify accounts, enter personal information or claim refunds.
- Never click links or open attachments from unexpected messages.
- Report suspicious IRS-related emails, messages or texts.
- Stay away from installing malicious software, including ransomware, that may prevent access to your own files.
- Artificial intelligence-enabled IRS impersonation by phone — robocalls, voice mimicry and spoofed caller IDs. These appear legitimate, but remember that the IRS contacts taxpayers by mail first and doesn't leave urgent, threatening prerecorded messages demanding direct payment or threatening arrest.
- Misleading tax advice on social media. Social media misinformation and disinformation are major drivers of tax scams. Follow trusted advice. If you knowingly file fraudulent tax returns, you could face significant civil and/or criminal penalties.
- Identity theft involving IRS Online Account access. Beware of "helpers" who want to collect sensitive information during account setup. Only create accounts directly through IRS.gov. Don't rely on unsolicited third parties offering assistance.
- Bogus self-employment tax credit promotion. The IRS is closely reviewing claims coming in under this provision. Scammers encourage inaccurate filings that generate improper refunds. Rely on trusted sources and tax professionals, not social media promotions.
- Ghost preparers. They prepare a return but refuse to sign it or include a preparer Tax Identification Number. This is a major red flag. Choose reputable help. Never sign a blank or incomplete return.
- Noncash charitable contribution schemes. Scammers encourage taxpayers to inflate withholding amounts to manufacture a larger refund by reporting zero or little income on incorrect forms.
- The IRS may delay processing while it verifies wages and withholding against third-party records.
- Inaccurate claims can lead to penalties and enforcement action.
- Spear-phishing and malware campaigns targeting tax professionals. Tax businesses are targeted for new client or document request emails that deliver malicious links or attachments to steal client data or access systems.
- Warning signs may include unexpected requests for sensitive information, mismatched or unfamiliar sender addresses, urgent payment demands or links to websites that clearly don't originate from IRS.gov.
- By gaining access to a hacked email account, scammers can locate a genuine email from a previous victim's email account they sent to their tax professional.
- The Offer in Compromise program helps eligible taxpayers resolve tax debt when unable to pay in full, but OIC mills often overpromise results and charge high fees to taxpayers who don't qualify. Check your eligibility to use free IRS tools and avoid high-pressure sales tactics.
If you get a suspicious message or call:
- Don't click unexpected links or open attachments.
- Report suspected IRS-related phishing emails or messages at phishing@irs.gov.
- Visit IRS.gov/identity-theft-central for steps to protect your account.
Visit IRS.gov/SubmitATip to report suspected tax fraud, scams or identity theft. You can use a new online tool to submit information using a smartphone, tablet or computer that consolidates IRS fraud-reporting options into this one location and routes tips to the appropriate IRS office.
And you can always talk to your tax professional, who will help you separate genuine notices from con jobs.
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