Don’t Let Fraud Steal Your Refund: Tax Scams to Watch in 2026
Tax season always attracts scammers — and as technology evolves, so do their tactics. In 2026, awareness and preparedness are your greatest defenses. By staying informed, leveraging tools like IP PINs, and verifying all communications, you dramatically reduce your risk of becoming a victim of tax fraud.
The most important thing you need to remember: the IRS won’t email or text you first about your taxes and promises of huge refunds or threat-based contacts are almost always scams.
Here are some tax scams to look out for in 2026:
- Phishing & Smishing Scams: Fraudsters impersonate the IRS, state tax agencies, or well-known tax software providers via email or text message. These messages often use urgent language like “Your refund is delayed” or “Immediate action required.”
Watch out for:
- Emails pretending to be from the IRS
- Text messages (SMS) claiming issues with your return
- Links to websites that mimic IRS.gov
- Fake Tax Preparers and “Ghost Preparers”: Scammers advertise low-cost or “guaranteed refund” tax preparation services, then submit fraudulent returns without your knowledge—sometimes altering your information or stealing your refund.
Watch out for:
- Preparers who refuse to sign your return
- No Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
- Unusually large refund promises
- Social Media Misinformation: Bad tax advice on platforms like TikTok or Instagram can mislead taxpayers into filing incorrect forms or claiming benefits they don’t qualify for. Scammers often use trending topics to disguise their schemes.
Watch out for:
- “Secret refund hacks”
- Fake credits with huge payouts
- Advice from unverified influencers
- Bogus Charities: Criminals create fake charities to collect donations and personal information, then falsely claim those donations are tax-deductible.
Watch out for:
- Urgent fundraising requests
- Unknown or unfamiliar charity names
- Donation links not tied to IRS-verified organizations
- Misleading or False Credits: Scammers promote nonexistent tax credits (such as a “Self-Employment Tax Credit”) or encourage inflating legitimate credits to receive larger refunds.
Watch out for:
- Social media posts encouraging unusual claims
- Promotions with unrealistic refund totals
- Threatening Impersonation Scams: Fraudsters may call or message you while pretending to be IRS agents, threatening arrest, deportation, or legal action unless immediate payment is made.
Watch out for:
- Pressure tactics and threats
- Requests for unusual or nontraditional payment methods
Every year, tax fraud grows more sophisticated — and 2026 will be no exception. Stay alert, be informed and think before you click. Watch your inboxes and your text messages. Knowledge is key to protecting yourself from being a victim this tax season and always.