IRS dirty dozen 2026: Internal Revenue Service warns of top tax scams, AI fraud calls, and refund traps to avoid this filing season

The Internal Revenue Service has released its yearly warning list of dangerous tax scams for 2026 to alert people during tax season. This list is called the “Dirty Dozen”, which includes the most common tricks criminals use to steal money and personal data. Officials said these scams target regular taxpayers, businesses, and even tax professionals.

Top scams you need to know

• Email & Text Scams (Phishing + Smishing): Scammers pretend to be the IRS using emails, texts, or social media and send fake links or QR codes to steal your data.
• AI Phone Call Scams: Criminals now use AI to copy human voices and fake caller IDs to make calls look real, as stated by Fox5.
• Fake Charity Scams: Fraudsters create fake charities during disasters or big events to collect donations and personal details.
• Social Media Tax Lies: Viral “tax hacks” online trick people into filing wrong returns or claiming fake benefits.
• Identity Theft Scams: Criminals use stolen personal info to access IRS accounts or pretend to help victims set them up.
• Capital Gains Credit Scam: Some schemes misuse Form 2439 to claim fake tax credits on investment earnings.
• Fake Self-Employment Credit: Scammers promise big refunds using a credit that either doesn’t exist or doesn’t apply to most people, as noted by Fox5.
• Ghost Tax Preparers: Some tax preparers file returns for money but refuse to sign them or give ID details, which is illegal.
• Fake Donation Deductions: People inflate the value of donated items like art or land to claim higher tax deductions.
• Fake Income & Withholding Claims: Fraudsters create fake salary or tax payment records to get big refunds.
• Spear-Phishing Emails: Hackers send emails pretending to be new clients or officials to spread malware.
• Offer in Compromise Scams: Some companies falsely promise to reduce tax debt but fail to deliver real results.

Trend alert

Cybersecurity expert Steve Grobman said AI-powered scams are rising fast and younger people, especially Gen Z, are major targets, as per the report by Fox5.

How to stay safe

Do not click on unknown links or open attachments from random messages. Immediately hang up if you get a suspicious call claiming to be from the IRS. Report phishing emails by forwarding them to the official IRS email address. If you think your identity is stolen, go to the official IRS website and follow recovery steps.

How to report scams

The IRS has a special online tool where people can report fraud, scams, or identity theft easily. This tool works on phones, tablets, and computers and sends complaints to the correct department quickly, as per the report by Fox5. Officials say reporting scams fast helps stop criminals and protect others.

The IRS warns that scammers keep changing their tricks every year, so people must stay alert all the time, not just during tax season. More details about these scams are available on official IRS platforms for public awareness.

FAQs

Q1. What is the IRS Dirty Dozen tax scams list for 2026?

The Internal Revenue Service Dirty Dozen is a yearly warning list that shows the most common tax scams people should avoid during the filing season.

Q2. How can taxpayers stay safe from tax scams in 2026?

Taxpayers should avoid unknown links, ignore suspicious calls or messages claiming to be from the IRS, and report any scam quickly to the Internal Revenue Service.