IRS Dirty Dozen: Tax Scams to Watch for in 2026

The IRS “Dirty Dozen” list highlights common tax scams targeting taxpayers in 2026

Tax season is a time when individuals and businesses are focused on preparing accurate returns and meeting filing deadlines. Unfortunately, it is also a time when scammers are more likely to increase their efforts to exploit taxpayers by impersonating the IRS, promoting fraudulent tax strategies, or attempting to steal sensitive financial and personal information.

To help keep taxpayers informed, the IRS recently released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2026. The list highlights common tax scams and schemes that occur during tax season. Understanding these schemes, and what to look out for, is an important step in protecting personal and business information.

Overview of IRS 2026 ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of tax scams

• IRS impersonation by email (phishing) and text (smishing)
  • Messages that claim to be from the IRS with alarming language, or QR codes to direct someone to fake IRS websites.
  • The IRS advises taxpayers to never click links or open attachments from unexpected messages.
• AI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone
  • Includes: robocalls, voice mimicry, and spoofed caller IDs.
  • The IRS typically initiates contact by mail first, and never leaves threatening prerecorded messages, or demands immediate payment.
• Fake charities
  • Created to collect donations and often exploit real tragedies and disasters.
  • Charitable donations only count for tax deductions if they go to an IRS recognized, qualified tax-exempt organization.
• Misleading tax advice on social media
  • Viral “tax hacks” on social media may encourage taxpayers to claim credits or deductions they do not qualify for, which can lead to delayed refunds, IRS scrutiny, audits, and potential penalties.
• Identity theft involving IRS Online Account access
  • Scammers use stolen information to gain unauthorized access to an IRS.gov online account.
  • Always create your account directly through the IRS website and do not rely on unsolicited help.
• Abusive undistributed long-term capital gains claims
  • The IRS has seen an increase in fabricated claims tied to Form 2439, which may result in refund delays, audits, and penalties.
• Bogus “Self-Employment Tax Credit” promotion
  • Scammers use misleading claims to encourage inaccurate filings.
• Non-cash charitable contribution schemes
  • Inflated appraisals of donated property.

Staying vigilant during tax season

Tax scams continue to evolve each year as fraudsters adopt new technologies and tactics to target individuals and businesses. The IRS Dirty Dozen list serves as an annual reminder to remain cautious when receiving unexpected communications, sharing sensitive information, or considering advice that promises unusually large refunds or credits.

Several of the scams highlighted by the IRS involve identify theft and the misuse of taxpayer information. Individuals and organizations can reduce their risk by monitoring tax records closely, verifying communications that claim to be from the IRS, and working with your Keiter client service team when filing returns or responding to notices. 

Taxpayers who believe they may have been targeted by a scam should report the incident directly to the IRS and follow the appropriate steps to protect their identity and financial information. If you have questions about protecting your personal or business tax information, or need guidance navigating IRS notices or tax security best practices, contact your Keiter Opportunity Advisor | Call 804.747.0000

Learn more about protecting both personal and business identification during the 2025-2026 tax season.

• Protecting Your Identity This 2025–2026 Tax Season: What High-Net-Worth Taxpayers Should Know
• Protecting Your Business from Identity Theft This 2025–2026 Tax Season

Source:

Thomson Reuters®| Checkpoint 

IRS | Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2026: IRS reminds taxpayers to watch out for dangerous threats