Every year, as tax season rolls around, millions of people sit down to sort through their finances — and criminals know it. Tax time is prime hunting season for scammers, who exploit the stress and confusion that often come with filing returns. Some of these schemes are surprisingly sophisticated, and even financially savvy people get caught off guard.
Knowing what to look for is your first real line of defense.
IRS Impersonation Calls and Emails
This is probably the most widespread tax scam out there, and it keeps evolving. You get a phone call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent. They say you owe back taxes, and if you don’t pay immediately, you’ll be arrested, deported, or have your license suspended. The urgency is intentional — it’s designed to make you panic and act without thinking.
The IRS does not call you out of the blue demanding immediate payment. They always initiate contact through the mail first. If someone is pressuring you over the phone to wire money or buy gift cards to settle a tax debt, hang up. It’s a scam, full stop.
Phishing emails work the same way. They look official, use IRS logos, and ask you to click a link to “verify your information.” That link usually leads to a fake site designed to steal your Social Security number and banking details.
Fake Tax Preparers
Not everyone who hangs out a shingle as a tax professional actually is one. Ghost preparers — people who fill out your return but refuse to sign it — are a red flag. A legitimate tax preparer is required by law to sign every return they prepare and include their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).
Some fraudulent preparers promise inflated refunds and take a percentage of whatever comes back. To get that bigger number, they fabricate deductions, claim credits you don’t qualify for, or misreport your income. You might walk away happy at first, but if the IRS audits that return, you’re the one held responsible — not them.
How to Protect Yourself
- Always verify a preparer’s credentials through the IRS’s official directory at irs.gov.
- Never sign a blank return.
- Review your return carefully before it’s submitted, even if you trust the preparer.
Identity Theft and Fraudulent Returns
This one is particularly nasty. A thief gets hold of your Social Security number — maybe through a data breach, maybe through a phishing email — and files a tax return in your name before you do. They claim a refund, pocket it, and by the time you try to file your legitimate return, the IRS flags it as a duplicate.
The fallout can take months to resolve. The IRS has an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) program that assigns you a unique six-digit number required to file your return. If you haven’t enrolled yet, it’s worth doing before next tax season.
Fake Charities
After natural disasters or major news events, fake charities tend to multiply fast. Scammers set up organizations with names that closely mimic well-known nonprofits, collect donations, and disappear. Beyond losing your money, you may also lose the tax deduction you were counting on — because donations to fraudulent organizations don’t qualify.
Before donating to any charity, check its legitimacy using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. A quick search can save you both money and a headache at filing time.
The “Too Good to Be True” Refund Promise
Social media has become a breeding ground for tax misinformation. One recurring scheme involves people claiming they can help others get massive refunds by misusing tax forms — such as filing a Form 7202 without actually qualifying, or claiming credits designed for pandemic-era relief that no longer apply.
If someone online is promising you a refund that seems wildly out of proportion to your income or tax situation, be skeptical. The IRS actively investigates these schemes, and participants — not just the promoters — can face penalties and prosecution.
Tax season doesn’t have to be a stressful game of dodge-the-scammer, but it does require staying alert. A little healthy skepticism goes a long way. When something feels off — a pushy caller, an email asking for sensitive information, a promise of an unusually large refund — trust that instinct and verify before you act.
