Recognize tax scams and fraud

You can avoid falling victim to 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 money, personal, financial or employee information. IRS impersonators try to look like us.

• A big payday - If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Bad tax advice on social media could urge you to falsify tax forms or credit claims.
• Demands or threats - Impersonators want you to pay “now or else.” They threaten arrest or deportation.
• Website links - Odd or misspelled web links can take you to malicious sites instead of IRS.gov.

Impersonators don’t let you question or appeal the amount of tax you owe. Know your taxpayer rights.

How to know it’s the IRS

Here’s how to know it’s really us contacting you:

• Email - We email you only with your permission.
• Mail - Typically, we contact you first by U.S. mail. Most IRS letters include a letter or number. To verify it’s us, search for a letter or notice. Some letters might be from IRS-assigned private debt collection agencies.
• Social media - You can follow us, but we never contact you about your taxes on social media. Check with a trusted tax professional.
• Text message - We only send you text messages with your permission.
• Website - Our official web address is IRS.gov.
• Phone call - Typically, we mail you first. We might call about an audit or to verify information.
• Fax - Sometimes we send a fax to verify employment or request reported income or withholdings.
• In-person visit - Generally, we notify you by mail before we visit your home or business.

Common tax scams

Be aware of the telltale signs of tax scams.

Charity impersonators

Your donation or website link doesn’t go where you think it will.

You can’t deduct donations to fake charities.

• Search for a tax-exempt organization
• IRS: Beware of fake charities; check before donating
• IRS joins effort to fight charity fraud during international recognition week
• How to avoid fraud and scams after a disaster

COVID-19 pandemic schemes

Criminals took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to steal taxpayer money.

• Security Summit warns tax pros to be wary of pandemic-related email schemes
• Employee Retention Credit (ERC)

Credits and refunds misinformation

Incorrect information on how to get a bigger refund misleads you to claim credits you’re not eligible for. This leads to a delayed refund, audit or other consequences like fines or imprisonment.

Dishonest or uninformed tax preparers misrepresent rules for claiming credits. Aggressive advertising, mail and online sources mislead you to file an incorrect return. They charge large, upfront fees or a fee based on your refund amount.

Clean energy tax credits:

Employee Retention Credit (ERC):

• IRS alerts businesses, tax-exempt groups of warning signs for misleading Employee Retention scams; simple steps can avoid improperly filing claims
• IRS issues renewed warning on Employee Retention Credit claims; false claims generate compliance risk for people and businesses claiming credit improperly
• Employee Retention Credit

Fuel Tax Credit:

• Dirty dozen: IRS warns about false Fuel Tax Credit claims; taxpayers should be wary of scammers, heightened review
• Form 4136, Credit for Federal Tax Paid on Fuels

Sick and Family Leave credits; Schedule H refund:

• IRS warns taxpayers of new filing season scams involving Form W-2 wages; those filing fake returns face potential penalties, investigation
• Form 7202, Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave for Certain Self-Employed Individuals
• Schedule H, Household Employment Taxes

Disaster fraud

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.

• People should donate carefully after a disaster to avoid scams
• Tips to help taxpayers avoid post-disaster scams
• Disaster assistance and emergency relief for individuals and businesses
• Donating to charities

Dishonest tax preparers

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

Email and text message impersonators

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

Car buyers and sellers:

Students and schools:

• IRS warns university students and staff of impersonation email scam
• University students and staff should be aware of IRS impersonation email scam

Seniors targeted

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, there may be tax implications.

• IRS warns against scams targeting seniors; joins other federal agencies to recognize special awareness day
• Retirement: Exceptions to tax on early distributions​​​

Social media bad tax advice and scams

Social media can mislead you about tax credit or refund eligibility. Influencers may encourage you to falsify forms or put you in touch with scammers. They may claim the IRS is keeping a tax credit secret from you.

• IRS warns taxpayers they may be scam victims if they filed for big refunds; misleading advice leads to false claims for Fuel Tax Credit, Sick and Family Leave Credit, household employment taxes
• ​​​​​IRS warns taxpayers about misleading claims about non-existent “Self Employment Tax Credit;” promoters, social media peddling inaccurate eligibility suggestions
• Misleading social media advice leads to false claims for Fuel Tax Credit, Sick and Family Leave Credit, household employment taxes; FAQs help address common questions, next steps for those receiving IRS letters

Tax debt settlement or relief services

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).