Filing taxes is already one of the most dreaded tasks of the year. Now add a wave of sophisticated criminals actively targeting your personal information, your refund, and your financial identity — and the stakes have never felt higher. On Thursday, March 5, the IRS released its 2026 Dirty Dozen list, an annual roundup of the most threatening tax scams circulating during filing season, timed deliberately to coincide with National Slam the Scam Day.
The list is produced through the Security Summit, a long-running collaboration between the federal tax agency, state tax authorities, and the private tax industry. The goal is simple — arm taxpayers with the knowledge they need before criminals get the upper hand. And in 2026, that knowledge has never been more critical.
12 Scams the IRS Says You Must Know
These are the threats every American taxpayer needs to recognize and avoid this season.
- Phishing and smishing attacks. Fraudulent emails and text messages designed to look like official government communications are flooding inboxes and phones nationwide. These messages use fear tactics and fake QR codes to lure victims into handing over sensitive data. Delete them immediately.
- AI-powered phone scams. Artificial intelligence is now being used to clone voices and spoof caller ID numbers, making fake government calls nearly indistinguishable from real ones. The federal agency never demands immediate payment by phone or threatens criminal arrest. Hang up and move on.
- Fraudulent charity solicitations. Every time a natural disaster strikes or a national tragedy unfolds, fake charities emerge to exploit the generosity of good-faith donors. Verify any organization through the IRS tax-exempt database before giving a single dollar.
- Dangerous social media tax advice. Viral content promising secret tax hacks or hidden credits is circulating widely across platforms. Following that advice can mean filing a fraudulent return without even realizing it — and the IRS holds taxpayers fully responsible for what gets submitted.
- Online account takeovers. Cybercriminals are using stolen personal data to infiltrate taxpayer accounts on IRS.gov or masquerading as account setup helpers to extract login credentials. Set up and manage your account exclusively through official government channels.
- Form 2439 capital gains fraud. Brand new to this year’s list, this scheme involves fabricated or inflated claims on Form 2439, a document used by shareholders of certain investment funds to claim credits on undistributed capital gains. Some fraudulent claims are even falsely tied to legitimate, well-known organizations.
- Fake self-employment tax credits. A misleading promotion is convincing self-employed individuals they qualify for a sweeping tax credit that does not exist as advertised. The IRS is scrutinizing every single claim filed under this category — the risk is entirely on the taxpayer.
- Ghost preparers. These unscrupulous operators prepare and file returns without signing them or providing a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number. That missing signature shifts all legal liability directly onto the unsuspecting taxpayer who hired them.
- Inflated charitable contribution deductions. Schemes involving exaggerated property appraisals — particularly conservation easements and donated artwork — are being used to manufacture deductions far beyond what the law allows. The IRS holds refunds while reviewing suspicious claims.
- Fabricated wage and withholding data. Some promoters are coaching taxpayers to report false income and withholding figures in hopes of generating a bigger refund check. Third-party verification catches these discrepancies quickly, and the consequences are severe.
- Cyberattacks on tax preparers. Professional tax preparers remain high-value targets for criminals deploying fake client emails loaded with malware. A single compromised account can expose the private financial data of hundreds of clients at once.
- Predatory tax debt relief companies. Firms known as OIC mills falsely promise to settle outstanding tax debt for pennies on the dollar — then collect hefty upfront fees from taxpayers who never qualified for the program in the first place. Free eligibility tools are available directly through the federal agency.
Steps to Take Before It Is Too Late
Awareness is powerful, but action is what actually protects you. Avoid clicking any unexpected links, even ones that appear to come from a trusted government source. Report any suspicious IRS-related communications by forwarding them to phishing@irs.gov. If personal tax identity has already been compromised, visit IRS.gov/idtheft immediately for a clear recovery path.
Help the IRS Shut It All Down
Reporting fraud is one of the most effective tools available to stop these schemes before they reach more victims. A new consolidated tip submission tool at IRS.gov/SubmitATip allows anyone — taxpayers, professionals, and business owners alike — to confidentially flag suspected fraud from any device. Every tip submitted helps the agency move faster and protect more people.
Scammers thrive on confusion and panic. This filing season, the best defense is a taxpayer who knows exactly what to look for — and refuses to take the bait.
