As the 2026 filing season approaches, federal tax officials are again warning that scam activity tends to rise when Americans begin gathering documents, checking refund status, and looking for ways to cut what they owe. The familiar tactics are still around, but they are getting sharper, faster, and more convincing. For taxpayers, that means a routine filing task can turn into an identity theft problem or a costly false claim in a matter of minutes. The biggest risks heading into the new season are not especially exotic. They are the schemes that keep working because they create urgency and borrow the appearance of authority. In recent IRS guidance, the agency has repeatedly highlighted phishing emails and texts, fake IRS outreach, bogus charity solicitations, identity-related attacks tied to IRS online accounts, and false credit claims spread through social media and self-styled tax experts. Taken together, they form a practical watch list for filers who want to avoid a problem before it starts.
Email and text messages that look official
One of the most persistent threats is also one of the easiest to underestimate. Taxpayers continue to get emails and text messages that appear to come from the IRS, often using language about refunds, tax credits, account issues, or urgent verification requests. The messages typically push the recipient to click a link, open an attachment, or enter personal data on a fake page designed to mimic a government site. The IRS has been unusually direct on this point. In its guidance on how to tell whether the IRS is really contacting someone, the agency says it does not make initial contact through email or social media and warns taxpayers about texts tied to fake tax credits or stimulus-style claims. During National Tax Security Awareness Week 2025, the IRS also singled out phishing as a core online safety threat for both individual taxpayers and businesses. That matters because these messages are designed to catch people when they are already expecting tax-related updates. A filer waiting on a refund, for example, may be more likely to believe a text that says a return is being reviewed or a payment is on hold. The safest move is simple: never use the link that arrived in the message. Instead, type IRS.gov directly into a browser and navigate from there.
Phone scams that rely on fear and pressure
Not every scam begins with a text. Phone fraud remains a major part of the tax-season playbook because it lets criminals create pressure in real time. The caller may claim a return was flagged, a warrant is pending, or immediate payment is required to avoid penalties. In many cases, the point is not just to steal money. It is to extract Social Security numbers, banking information, or account credentials that can be used again later. The IRS has stressed that taxpayers should know the difference between normal contact and a scam. Its published guidance explains that the agency generally begins with mail, not a surprise demand over the phone. That distinction is critical because scammers depend on people reacting before they stop to verify what is happening. When a caller insists on instant payment or tries to keep a taxpayer on the line until money is sent, that is a red flag, not a shortcut. For many readers, the best rule is to assume that urgency is part of the fraud. If someone claims to be from the government and demands action right away, the taxpayer should hang up and independently verify the issue through official channels.
Fake charities after storms, fires, and other disasters
Disaster-related scams are especially effective because they target people at the moment they want to help. After major storms, wildfires, or other emergencies, bogus charities tend to surface quickly. Some use names that sound close to legitimate organizations. Others claim to be collecting on behalf of first responders, displaced families, or local relief groups. The appeal works because it combines emotion with speed. The IRS has warned that criminals often solicit donations to fake charities and may even pose as employees of real nonprofits or federal agencies. The agency’s advice is straightforward: verify the organization through the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool, research the group before giving, and keep records of the donation. That tax angle matters. A donation only counts as deductible if it goes to a qualified organization and the taxpayer has the right documentation. In other words, a fake charity can do double damage. It can drain money that was meant for relief and leave the donor with nothing to claim at tax time.
IRS account theft and Identity Protection PIN abuse
Another growing concern is identity-related fraud connected to IRS online access. Criminals do not always need a full tax return to cause trouble. In some cases, they use stolen personal information to gain entry to an IRS Online Account or interfere with account setup. In others, they try to trick taxpayers into sharing information that can help enable a fraudulent filing. The IRS has urged taxpayers to create accounts only through official channels and to use the tools the agency built for this exact problem. In its 2025 guidance on IRS Online Accounts and Identity Protection PINs, the agency described the IP PIN as a six-digit number that helps protect taxpayers from refund theft and fraudulent returns. Its tax security materials also note that an IRS account is protected with multifactor authentication, giving taxpayers a safer way to monitor activity and access records. For readers, the practical takeaway is clear. An account should be created directly at IRS.gov, not through a link sent by a stranger or through an unsolicited offer of “help.” Anything that asks for an IP PIN outside the normal filing process should be treated as suspicious.
False credit claims pushed online
The scam that may surprise some filers is not a classic impersonation attempt at all. It is the false promise of easy money. Over the past few years, the IRS has repeatedly warned that misleading posts online have pushed taxpayers into claiming credits they were never eligible to receive. These promotions often describe a little-known refund opportunity, a “secret” tax break, or a simple form that can supposedly unlock thousands of dollars. The agency sharpened that warning in a September 2025 release, saying it had assessed $162 million in penalties over false tax credit claims tied to social media. The same release pointed specifically to misuse of credits like the Fuel Tax Credit and sick and family leave credits. On its Fuel Tax Credit guidance page, the IRS now explicitly warns taxpayers not to be fooled by misleading social media advice and notes that an incorrect claim can lead to a $5,000 penalty. That should be enough to make cautious filers pause before copying a tactic from a viral post or a promoter who seems more interested in a refund amount than in eligibility. In tax filing, a claim is not legitimate because it is popular online. It is legitimate because the taxpayer qualifies under the rules.
What taxpayers should do before filing
The strongest defense is not technical. It is behavioral. Taxpayers should slow down when a message feels urgent, type official web addresses directly instead of clicking links, verify charities before donating, and be skeptical of anyone promising a refund shortcut. Choosing a reputable preparer also matters, especially when a claim sounds unusually generous or oddly easy. That approach may not sound dramatic, but it is what the IRS has been emphasizing for months. Filing season always draws more fraud attempts because people are handling sensitive documents, watching for refunds, and trying to make smart financial moves. Scammers know that. They build schemes around pressure, confusion, and convenience. For taxpayers entering the 2026 season, the safest mindset is informed skepticism. The frauds may change their wording, channels, or pitch, but the goal stays the same: get personal information, get money, or push a false filing. Readers who verify first and react second will be in a much stronger position than those who assume an official-looking message must be real.
Paul Anderson is a finance writer and editor at The Financial Wire. He has spent seven years writing about investment strategies and the global economy for digital publications across the US and UK. His work focuses on making sense of economic policy, cost-of-living issues, and the stories that affect everyday Americans.
