Recognize tax scams and fraud | Internal Revenue Service

Recognize tax scams and fraud

You can avoid falling for a tax scam. Know what to watch out for and how the IRS contacts you.

Tax scam warning signs

Scammers mislead you about tax refunds, credits and payments. They pressure you for personal, financial or employment information or money. IRS impersonators try to look like us.

Watch out for:

  • A big payday - If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Bad tax advice on social media may convince you to lie on tax forms or mislead you about credits you can claim.
  • Demands or threats - Impersonators want you to pay “now or else.” They threaten arrest or deportation. They don’t let you question or appeal the amount of tax you owe. 
  • Website links - Odd or misspelled web links can take you to harmful sites instead of IRS.gov.

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Know your taxpayer rights.

How to know it’s the IRS

Protect yourself from impersonators. Know how we contact you.

Common tax scams

Be aware of the signs of tax scams.

Scammers want to “help” you file casualty loss claims or get big tax refunds. Impersonators claim to work for or on behalf of the IRS.

Don’t trust a tax preparer who:

  • Doesn’t sign the return
  • Falsifies tax information
  • Puts your refund in their bank account
  • Requires you to pay in cash or doesn’t give you a receipt

IRS reminds taxpayers: Choose a tax professional carefully

The impersonator wants you to send them money. Opening links and attachments may harm your computer.

IRS reminds car dealers and sellers to be aware of phishing scams

Scammers target people over age 65 or nearing retirement for personal or financial information or money. Often, once you give them money, they ask for more. When scammers trick you to withdraw from your retirement account, it could affect your taxes.

People pressure you to use their services to settle taxes you owe. They promise to relieve your tax debt for “pennies-on-the-dollar.” They rush you to pay them for this service.

You can settle your tax debt directly with us if you’re eligible for an offer in compromise (OIC).

IRS “dirty dozen” list warns people to watch out for Offer in Compromise ‘mills’ where promoters claim their services are needed to settle IRS debts.

If Box 1 of Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments PDF, shows unemployment compensation you didn’t get, you may be a victim of identity theft. Criminals can use your information to file fake unemployment claims, leaving you with taxable income to report.

Identity theft and unemployment benefits​​​​​

Scammers send you a tax bill to trick you into paying them.

Taxpayers shouldn’t let gift card scammers ruin the holidays

Incorrect information on how to get a bigger refund misleads you to report fake income, federal income tax withholding and employers on ​​​​​​ Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement.

Criminals also target businesses and payroll companies by email to steal Form W-2 data. They file fraudulent returns in other people’s names for refunds.

For tax professionals, businesses and payroll providers:

Related

Dirty dozen tax scams
If you were scammed
Report a tax scam or fraud
Get identity theft help