Protect Your Refund: Stay One Step Ahead of Tax Season Scams

There’s no question that scammers are getting smarter. You can keep your personal information safe this tax season by being aware of common tax-time scams and taking the right precautions.

As tax season ramps up, so do the scams. Every year fraudsters sharpen their tactics to steal personal information, refunds, and peace of mind from unsuspecting taxpayers. From old favorites like IRS impersonation calls and phishing emails to high-tech threats powered by AI deepfakes, these schemes are designed to look legitimate. Knowing the warning signs of today’s most common tax scams can help you protect yourself, your business, and your refund from falling into the wrong hands. These are the top tax refund scams we’re seeing in 2026.

1. IRS Impersonation Scams: Bad actors often pretend to be the IRS or other tax authorities via phone calls, emails, texts, or social media — claiming you owe money, your refund is at risk, or there’s an urgent problem. They use fear and urgency to trick you into sharing personal info or paying money. The real IRS never contacts you first by email or text about a refund or bill.

2. Phishing & Smishing: Bad actors send fake emails (“phishing”) or texts (“smishing”) that look official to lure you into clicking links and entering sensitive information like Social Security numbers or credit union login credentials. These can also install malware on your device.

3. Identity Theft & False Returns: Fraudsters may file fake tax returns in your name to get refunds before you file yours. This often results in the IRS flagging or rejecting your legitimate return.

4. Fraudulent Tax Preparers:

• “Ghost preparers” who won’t sign your return or won’t provide their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).

• Preparers who charge based on refund size or promise unusually large refunds.

• Offices that accept only cash or untraceable payments like Zelle can also be a warning sign.

5. Fake or Illegal Tax Credits & Schemes: Fraudsters (or misleading social media posts) may push bogus tax credits or deductions — like non-existent credits, bogus fuel tax credits, or inflated withholding amounts — to lure you into filing fraudulent returns that could trigger audits or penalties.

6. False Charities: Fake charities may pop up, especially after disasters, to collect donations and then misuse your personal info or steer you toward claiming fraudulent deductions. Always verify that a charity is IRS-recognized before donating.

7. Deepfake & AI-Enhanced Impersonation (Emerging Tech Scams): Criminals are increasingly using AI tools — like voice cloning or deepfake video — to impersonate officials or professionals convincing enough to bypass normal caution. These can target individuals and businesses, especially finance teams.

Staying alert is your best defense against tax-season scams. Always verify unexpected communications, avoid sharing personal or financial information over unsecured channels, and work only with trusted tax professionals. If something feels off, such as a too-good-to-be-true refund offer, a demand for immediate payment, or an unfamiliar message claiming to be from the IRS, pause and double-check before responding. A few minutes of caution today can save you months of headaches later.