Beware the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams

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IRS's Dirty Dozen Tax Scams 2026

IRS Announces the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2026

Tax season is busy for everyone, even tax scammers. The Internal Revenue Service does its best to keep an eye on these kinds of things to spot new and returning scams. They released its updated warning list of the 2026 “Dirty Dozen” the 12 tricks fraudsters are most likely to try to perpetrate this year.

The list was released on March 5, which the IRS and its Security Summit partners declared Slam the Scam Day. They want all taxpayers to remain vigilant and watch out for scams. Here are this year’s worst tax scams:

  1. You won’t get a text from the IRS The IRS only makes initial contact with a taxpayer by mail. It doesn’t text, it doesn’t email, it doesn’t DM you. Make sure you NEVER click on links or open attachments on unexpected IRS emails or messages.
  2. They won’t call you either The IRS does not call anyone for first contact. If you get a call claiming to be from the agency and demanding instant payment, it’s fake.
  3. Always check your charities Many fraudsters pretend to be collecting money for victims of tragedies or natural disasters are the worst. The first stop before making a donation should be to the IRS’s website to see if the charity is legitimate.
  4. Do not use TikTok as a tax research service Most tax advice that taxpayers get on social media is often wrong and malicious. Current bad advice gumming up TikTok and the like includes recommending taxpayers to claim sick leave and family leave credits that are no longer available; suggesting they invent fictional household employees; and telling taxpayers to file their own Form 8944, “Preparer e-file Hardship Waiver Request,” even though it’s only for tax professionals.
  5. Keep your online account personal IRS’s Online Accounts are useful for taxpayers and their tax pros, but they’re also a target of scammers looking to steal private information. Among other things, the agency warns that taxpayers should never rely on unsolicited third parties who offer to help set up an account.
  6. New and Just as Dirty The latest and not-at-all greatest scam is the rise in instances of abuse of Form 2439, “Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains.” The form allows a credit for undistributed capital gains for certain investment funds and real estate trusts. Scammers are working around the clock to create overstated or entirely fabricated Form 2439 claims.
  7. Ask an accountant about any new credit If you keep hearing about the “Self-Employment Tax Credit” realize that you are probably not eligible. Most taxpayers don’t qualify for this, and the IRS is closely reviewing claims. Scammers are misleading people to promote inaccurate filings and generate improper refunds.
  8. Don’t get ghosted There are a ridiculous amount of “ghost preparers” -people who prepare returns but won’t sign them or include a PTIN on them. The IRS warns that taxpayers should never sign a blank or incomplete return.
  9. Be honest about your donations The urge to inflate non-cash donations to charity should be fought. Made-up information and crazy valuations can be a red flag for the IRS, and it will hold up refunds while verifying claims.
  10. Increased withholding is a red flag Withholding is complicated enough when you’re trying to get it right, but scammers will try to manufacture larger refunds by inflating the withholding amounts to report far less income. That is a red flag for the IRS. They can hold off on processing a return while it double-checks the claims. Variations of the scam can involve Forms W-2 and W-2G; Forms 1099-R, 1099-NEC, 1099-DIV, 1099-OID and 1099-B; the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend; and more.
  11. Tax Pros are the new target Scammers are developing and deploying spear phishing and malware campaigns just for them (us). They pretend to be new clients or someone requesting documents. It’s a good idea to separately confirm an email request.
  12. Oh, I see (OIC) one final scam For the right clients, an offer in compromise from the IRS can be a lifesaver but OIC “mills” don’t care if they’ve got the right client: They’ll promise tax resolution to anyone and everyone, and charge exorbitant fees to prepare OIC paperwork that they know will likely be rejected because the taxpayer doesn’t qualify.

If you encounter any, you can report them online, via email at phishing@irs.gov or on the IRS’s new portal, IRS.gov/SubmitATip. If you have any concerns about your taxes or issues you may encounter with your taxes, please contact our tax team at (312) 578-9300. They can help you out and get you “cleaned” up.