Tax season may be over, but unfortunately, tax scams don’t stop when the filing deadline passes.
For many individuals and business owners, the weeks and months after tax season can still bring refund questions, notices from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), amended return decisions, payment deadlines, tax debt concerns, and follow-up conversations with preparers. Scammers know this. They use the confusion of post-filing season to pressure taxpayers into clicking fake links, sharing sensitive information, making rushed payments, or trusting the wrong person with their tax records.
In 2026, tax scams are becoming more convincing. Fraudsters are using official looking emails, fake text messages, spoofed phone numbers, realistic websites, social media posts, and even artificial intelligence to make their schemes feel legitimate. Some scams target individuals waiting for refunds. Others target businesses, payroll departments, tax professionals, and owners who manage sensitive financial information.
The good news is that many tax scams follow predictable patterns. When you know the warning signs, you can slow down, verify the communication, and avoid handing over money or information to the wrong person.
In this article, we review common post-season tax scams, how they work, and what individuals and businesses can do to protect themselves.
Tax Season Scams: An Overview
Tax season scams are fraudulent schemes that use taxes, refunds, IRS notices, tax credits, tax debt, or filing requirements as the hook. Some scams peak before the tax deadline, but many continue afterward because taxpayers are still waiting for updates, responding to notices, or trying to correct filing issues.
Post-season scams often work because they catch people at a vulnerable moment. Maybe you are waiting for a refund and receive a text saying your bank information needs to be verified. Alternatively, your business receives an email that looks like it came from a tax software provider. Or a caller could claim you owe money and must pay immediately to avoid penalties.
Scammers count on speed. They want you to react before you think. Their messages often use fear, urgency, confusion, or promises of money to make you act quickly.
Common tactics include:
Threats of arrest, lawsuits, license suspension, business closure, or asset seizure
Promises of a larger refund, secret credit, or special tax program
Requests for Social Security Numbers (SSNs), Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), bank details, payroll records, or IRS account credentials
Fake links that look similar to IRS.gov or familiar tax software websites
Pressure to pay through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, prepaid cards, or payment apps
Requests to keep the issue private or avoid contacting a certified public accountant (CPA), attorney, or tax advisor
These scams can affect anyone, but certain groups may face higher risk. Individuals waiting on refunds, retirees, self-employed taxpayers, business owners, people who owe taxes, and anyone who recently experienced a data breach should be especially careful. Businesses also need to watch for payroll phishing, W2 and 1099 scams, vendor impersonation, and compromised email accounts.
10 Most Common Post Season Tax Scams in 2026
Post-season tax scams don’t always look obvious. They may arrive as polished emails or sound like urgent phone calls, helpful refund updates, charity appeals, or professional tax advice. The common thread is that they are designed to make you act before you verify.
Here are the tax scams individuals and businesses should be watching closely in 2026.
1. Phishing & Smishing Scams
Phishing refers to fake emails designed to steal information or install malware. Smishing is the text message version of the same tactic.
In a tax-related phishing or smishing scam, a message may claim there’s a problem with your refund, tax return, IRS account, payment, transcript, or identity verification. The message often includes a link to a fake website or an attachment that looks official. Once you click, scammers may try to collect your personal information, steal your login credentials, or infect your device.
For businesses, these scams can look like payroll requests, W2 corrections, 1099 questions, vendor payment updates, tax software alerts, or secure document links. A message may appear to come from an employee, client, tax professional, or software provider.
Red flags include:
Unexpected messages about refunds, credits, or IRS account access
Links that do not go directly to IRS.gov
Attachments you were not expecting
Requests for passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes, SSNs, EINs, or bank details
Messages that push you to act immediately
Don’t click suspicious links or open unexpected attachments. If a message claims to be from the IRS, go directly to IRS.gov instead of using the link in the message.
2. AI-Enabled IRS Impersonation Calls
IRS impersonation calls aren’t new, but technology has made them more convincing. In 2026, scammers can use artificial intelligence to create realistic voice messages, polished scripts, or automated calls that sound official.
These callers may claim you owe back taxes, missed a payment, failed to respond to a notice, or are about to face legal action. They often use fake badge numbers, spoofed caller ID, or intimidating language to make the call feel real.
The biggest warning sign is pressure. Scammers often demand immediate payment and may threaten arrest, deportation, license suspension, business closure, or asset seizure.
The IRS does not demand immediate payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or payment apps. The IRS also gives taxpayers the right to question or appeal the amount owed.
If you receive a threatening tax related call, do not provide information and do not make a payment. Hang up and verify the issue through official IRS channels or a trusted tax professional.
3. Ghost Tax Preparers
A ghost tax preparer is someone who prepares a tax return but refuses to sign it as the paid preparer, which is a major red flag. Paid tax return preparers are required to sign returns and include a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). A preparer who avoids signing may be trying to disappear if the return is questioned later.
Ghost preparers may promise unusually large refunds, invent deductions, claim credits you do not qualify for, or ask you to sign a blank or incomplete return. Some may direct your refund into their own account or charge a fee based on the size of your refund.
The danger is simple: You are responsible for what appears on your tax return, even if someone else prepared it.
Watch for these warning signs:
The preparer won’t sign the return.
The preparer doesn’t provide a valid PTIN.
The preparer asks you to sign a blank or incomplete return.
The preparer promises a large refund before reviewing your documents.
The preparer bases their fee on your refund size.
The preparer wants your refund deposited into an account that is not yours.
A trustworthy tax professional should be transparent, credentialed, willing to answer questions, and careful with documentation.
4. Post-Deadline Identity Theft
Tax identity theft can happen before, during, or after filing season. A criminal may use stolen personal information to file a fraudulent return, access your IRS online account, claim a refund, or change financial information.
You may not discover the problem until after filing season. Warning signs can include a rejected electronic return, an IRS letter about a return you did not file, a refund delay that does not make sense, or tax records showing activity you do not recognize.
For businesses, identity theft can involve stolen EINs, payroll records, employee W2 data, vendor files, tax software credentials, or compromised email accounts. A single hacked account can expose sensitive employee and client information.
One useful protection is an IRS Identity Protection PIN. This six-digit number helps prevent someone else from filing a tax return using your SSN or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). It’s especially worth considering if you have experienced identity theft, received suspicious tax notices, or had personal information exposed in a breach.
5. Fake Charity Scams
Fake charity scams often appear after natural disasters, community tragedies, global events, or high profile causes. Scammers create organizations with names that sound legitimate, then ask for donations by phone, email, text, social media, or fake websites.
These scams can cost you money and expose your personal information. They can also create tax problems if you claim a charitable deduction for a donation that does not qualify.
Before donating, verify the organization. Be cautious if someone pressures you to give immediately, asks for payment through unusual methods, or refuses to provide clear information about the charity.
Businesses should also be careful with charitable sponsorship requests, donation invoices, and employee giving campaigns. A fake request can look convincing, especially if it references a local event or familiar cause.
6. Misleading Social Media Tax Advice
Bad tax advice spreads quickly online. In 2026, taxpayers should be cautious with viral posts, videos, and ads that promise hidden refunds, secret credits, or unusual ways to get money from the IRS.
Some schemes encourage taxpayers to claim credits they do not qualify for, report false income, manipulate forms, or file amended returns based on incomplete or misleading information. These claims can lead to refund delays, penalties, audits, or deeper tax problems.
It’s especially important to pay attention after filing season because taxpayers may see posts claiming they missed a credit and should amend their return immediately. Do not amend a return based on social media advice alone. If something sounds too good to be true, have a qualified tax professional review it before you act.
7. Fake Tax Debt Relief Offers
Tax debt relief scams often target people who owe the IRS or are worried about penalties. These companies may promise to settle tax debt for “pennies on the dollar” without reviewing the person’s full financial situation.
There are legitimate IRS programs, including Offer in Compromise, installment agreements, and other resolution options. But not everyone qualifies. Any company that guarantees a specific result before reviewing your income, assets, expenses, tax history, and documentation should be treated with caution.
Keep an eye out for red flags:
Guaranteed settlement promises
High upfront fees
Pressure to sign quickly
Claims that everyone qualifies
Vague explanations of the process
Refusal to explain risks or alternatives
A CPA can help you understand what options may actually apply to your situation and whether a tax relief offer is realistic.
8. Fake IRS Online Account or Transcript Assistance
Scammers may offer to help you set up an IRS online account, check your refund, retrieve transcripts, fix account access, or verify your identity. Their real goal may be to collect your credentials, MFA codes, SSN, driver’s license information, or tax records.
You should create and manage IRS accounts directly through IRS.gov. Never share your login credentials, verification codes, or identity documents with someone you did not independently verify.
Businesses should also control who can access tax software, payroll accounts, document storage, and government portals. Limit access to the people who truly need it and remove access when employees or vendors no longer require it.
9. Fake Amended Return or Refund Correction Scams
After filing season, scammers may claim you made an error and need to submit corrected information. The message may say your refund is delayed, your bank account is wrong, your tax return is incomplete, or you qualify for a larger refund if you act quickly.
These scams may ask for copies of your tax return, W2s, 1099s, business records, bank details, or login credentials. Some may direct you to a fake amended return portal.
Before you provide information or amend a return, verify the issue. A legitimate tax correction should be based on actual records and reviewed carefully. Filing unnecessary or inaccurate amended returns can create more problems than it solves.
10. Business Spear Phishing & Payroll Scams
Businesses are attractive targets because they hold employee data, vendor records, tax documents, payroll details, and banking information.
A spear phishing email is more targeted than a generic scam. It can appear to come from a company executive, employee, vendor, client, tax advisor, or software provider. The message may ask someone to update direct deposit details, send W2s, change payment information, or upload tax documents through a fake link.
Business owners should take these requests seriously—but not at face value. Any unusual request involving payroll, employee records, banking changes, or tax files should be verified through a separate trusted channel.
How to Protect Yourself & Your Business from Tax Scams
You don’t have to become a fraud expert to avoid tax scams. You just have to develop a few disciplined habits: slowing down, verifying the source, protecting sensitive information, and getting help before responding to anything that feels unusual.
The following steps can help individuals and businesses reduce risk before a scammer gets access to money, tax records, or identity information.
File Early If You Can
Filing early can reduce the window of opportunity for someone else to file a fraudulent return using your information. But you don’t have to rush the process. File when your records are complete and accurate.
For businesses, staying organized throughout the year makes tax season less chaotic and reduces the risk of errors, missed forms, and rushed decisions.
Know How the IRS Communicates
One of the best ways to avoid tax scams is to understand how the IRS normally contacts taxpayers.
The IRS typically contacts taxpayers first by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS does not initiate contact by email, text, or social media to request personal information, financial information, tax account information, passwords, or payment details. There are some cases where the IRS may call or visit, but these usually follow prior written communication.
When in doubt, do not respond directly to the message or caller. Verify independently.
Slow Down When a Message Creates Fear or Urgency
Scammers want you to panic. A legitimate tax issue usually gives you time to review, verify, and respond.
Before you act, ask:
Was I expecting this message?
Does the message ask for sensitive information?
Is there pressure to pay immediately?
Does the payment method seem unusual?
Does the link go directly to IRS.gov?
Have I verified this through an independent source?
A short pause can prevent a costly mistake.
Never Share Sensitive Tax Information Through Unsecured Channels
Tax records contain information that can be used for identity theft, financial fraud, and business account compromise.
Be careful with:
SSNs
EINs
Bank account details
Payroll records
W2s and 1099s
Prior year tax returns
Tax transcripts
IRS account credentials
Driver’s license or passport copies
MFA codes and password reset links
Use secure portals whenever possible. Avoid sending sensitive documents through regular email unless a trusted advisor has provided secure instructions.
Verify Tax Professionals Before Hiring Them
A qualified tax professional can help you avoid mistakes, but the wrong preparer can create serious problems.
Before hiring someone, confirm their credentials, ask about their experience, and make sure they sign the return as the paid preparer. Review your return before signing it. Never sign a blank return. Make sure your refund is going to your bank account, not the preparer’s account.
Be cautious of anyone who promises a large refund before reviewing your records. Responsible tax professionals do not guarantee outcomes without seeing the facts.
Be Cautious If Something Sounds “Too Good to Be True”
Scams often sound attractive because they offer a shortcut: a bigger refund, a secret credit, instant tax debt forgiveness, or a way to fix a problem without documentation.
Legitimate tax work is based on records, eligibility, tax law, and careful review. If someone promises a result that sounds too easy, slow down.
Be especially careful with claims like:
“Everyone qualifies!”
“No documents needed.”
“Guaranteed refund increase!”
“Settle your tax debt for almost nothing.”
“The IRS does not want you to know about this credit.”
“You must act today!”
A simple rule can help: The bigger the promise, the more carefully you should verify it. Before claiming a credit, amending a return, signing with a tax relief company, or sharing personal information, ask for documentation and get a second opinion from a qualified tax professional.
Strengthen Business Security
Business tax scam prevention should involve more than the accounting department. Owners, managers, HR teams, payroll teams, and finance staff all need clear procedures.
Helpful steps include:
Use MFA on email, payroll, tax software, banking, and IRS accounts.
Limit access to tax and payroll files.
Train employees to spot phishing and impersonation attempts.
Verify payment or payroll changes through a second trusted channel.
Use secure portals for sensitive documents.
Review user access when employees or vendors leave.
Businesses should also have a clear response plan for suspected data exposure, payroll fraud, or identity theft.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you receive a suspicious IRS related email, text, social media message, phone call, or letter, report it. The IRS accepts reports of fake IRS, U.S. Treasury, and tax-related messages and provides guidance for reporting scams, identity theft, preparer misconduct, and other tax-related wrongdoing.
If you believe your identity has been stolen, act quickly. Keep records of notices, messages, and steps taken. You may also need to contact banks, credit bureaus, payroll providers, software providers, or legal counsel depending on the situation.
Talk to a Trusted CPA Before Responding
If a tax message feels suspicious, ask for help. A trusted CPA can determine whether a notice, call, email, refund issue, amended return request, or tax debt claim is legitimate.
For individuals, this approach can prevent unnecessary payments, inaccurate amended returns, and identity theft exposure. For businesses, it can help protect payroll data, tax records, employee information, and financial systems.
FAQs About Post Season Tax Scams
Does the IRS Contact Taxpayers by Email, Text, or Social Media?
The IRS typically contacts taxpayers first by mail. It does not initiate contact by email, text, or social media to ask for personal, financial, or tax account information. If you receive an unexpected electronic message claiming to be from the IRS, treat it carefully and verify it through IRS.gov or a trusted tax professional.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Suspicious IRS Email or Text?
Do not click links, open attachments, reply, or call numbers listed in suspicious IRS messages. Go directly to IRS.gov or contact a trusted CPA for help reviewing the issue. Suspicious IRS related messages can also be reported to the IRS.
What Is a Ghost Tax Preparer?
A ghost preparer is someone who prepares a tax return but refuses to sign it or include a valid PTIN. Paid preparers are required to sign the return and include their PTIN. If they refuse, it’s a major red flag.
Can a Tax Scam Happen After I Already Filed My Return?
Yes. Post-season scams may involve fake refund updates, amended return claims, IRS impersonation calls, identity theft, fake tax debt relief offers, fake charity requests, or requests for additional information.
How Can I Tell If a Tax Refund Message Is Real?
Do not trust refund links in emails or texts. Check refund status directly through official IRS tools or ask a trusted tax professional to help you verify the situation.
What Is an IRS Identity Protection PIN?
An IRS Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit number that helps prevent someone else from filing a return using your SSN or ITIN. It can be especially helpful for taxpayers who have experienced identity theft or suspicious tax activity.
Are Fake Charity Donations Considered Tax Scams?
Yes. Fake charities may collect money and personal information while pretending to support a real cause. They may also create tax issues if you claim a deduction for a donation that does not qualify. Verify charities before giving.
What Should Business Owners Watch Out for After Tax Season?
Business owners should watch for payroll phishing, W2 and 1099 scams, vendor impersonation, fake IRS notices, tax software login scams, fake document portals, and suspicious requests for EINs, employee records, bank details, or tax files.
Should I Amend My Return If I See a Tax Credit Promoted Online?
Not without verifying eligibility. Misleading social media tax advice can lead to inaccurate returns, refund delays, penalties, and IRS scrutiny. A qualified tax professional can help you determine whether an amended return is appropriate.
When Should I Contact a CPA About a Possible Tax Scam?
Contact a CPA if you receive a suspicious IRS notice, refund message, tax debt threat, identity verification request, amended return suggestion, or communication asking for sensitive tax information. It is better to verify before responding than to repair the damage afterward.
Contact Fisher, P.A. for Accounting & Tax Planning Assistance
Post-season tax scams are designed to look urgent, official, and convincing. But most scams rely on the same basic strategy: creating pressure, asking for sensitive information, and pushing you to act before you verify.
The safest approach is to slow down. Do not click unexpected links, share sensitive tax information through unsecured channels, make unusual payments, or trust big promises without documentation. If something feels off, verify it through official sources or a trusted tax professional.
For individuals and businesses, working with a qualified CPA can make a major difference. The right advisor can help you understand IRS notices, evaluate suspicious communication, avoid inaccurate filings, protect sensitive records, and make informed decisions.
At Fisher, P.A., our experienced CPAs are committed to supporting you every step of the way. We’re here to answer your questions, walk you through our tax compliance and financial planning services, and guide you through the tax preparation process. We serve individuals, families, and businesses in North Carolina and throughout the country, and our goal is to lift the burden of accounting from your shoulders.
10 Common Post-Season Tax Scams to Lookout for in 2026
Tax season may be over, but unfortunately, tax scams don’t stop when the filing deadline passes.
For many individuals and business owners, the weeks and months after tax season can still bring refund questions, notices from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), amended return decisions, payment deadlines, tax debt concerns, and follow-up conversations with preparers. Scammers know this. They use the confusion of post-filing season to pressure taxpayers into clicking fake links, sharing sensitive information, making rushed payments, or trusting the wrong person with their tax records.
In 2026, tax scams are becoming more convincing. Fraudsters are using official looking emails, fake text messages, spoofed phone numbers, realistic websites, social media posts, and even artificial intelligence to make their schemes feel legitimate. Some scams target individuals waiting for refunds. Others target businesses, payroll departments, tax professionals, and owners who manage sensitive financial information.
The good news is that many tax scams follow predictable patterns. When you know the warning signs, you can slow down, verify the communication, and avoid handing over money or information to the wrong person.
In this article, we review common post-season tax scams, how they work, and what individuals and businesses can do to protect themselves.
Tax Season Scams: An Overview
Tax season scams are fraudulent schemes that use taxes, refunds, IRS notices, tax credits, tax debt, or filing requirements as the hook. Some scams peak before the tax deadline, but many continue afterward because taxpayers are still waiting for updates, responding to notices, or trying to correct filing issues.
Post-season scams often work because they catch people at a vulnerable moment. Maybe you are waiting for a refund and receive a text saying your bank information needs to be verified. Alternatively, your business receives an email that looks like it came from a tax software provider. Or a caller could claim you owe money and must pay immediately to avoid penalties.
Scammers count on speed. They want you to react before you think. Their messages often use fear, urgency, confusion, or promises of money to make you act quickly.
Common tactics include:
These scams can affect anyone, but certain groups may face higher risk. Individuals waiting on refunds, retirees, self-employed taxpayers, business owners, people who owe taxes, and anyone who recently experienced a data breach should be especially careful. Businesses also need to watch for payroll phishing, W2 and 1099 scams, vendor impersonation, and compromised email accounts.
10 Most Common Post Season Tax Scams in 2026
Post-season tax scams don’t always look obvious. They may arrive as polished emails or sound like urgent phone calls, helpful refund updates, charity appeals, or professional tax advice. The common thread is that they are designed to make you act before you verify.
Here are the tax scams individuals and businesses should be watching closely in 2026.
1. Phishing & Smishing Scams
Phishing refers to fake emails designed to steal information or install malware. Smishing is the text message version of the same tactic.
In a tax-related phishing or smishing scam, a message may claim there’s a problem with your refund, tax return, IRS account, payment, transcript, or identity verification. The message often includes a link to a fake website or an attachment that looks official. Once you click, scammers may try to collect your personal information, steal your login credentials, or infect your device.
For businesses, these scams can look like payroll requests, W2 corrections, 1099 questions, vendor payment updates, tax software alerts, or secure document links. A message may appear to come from an employee, client, tax professional, or software provider.
Red flags include:
Don’t click suspicious links or open unexpected attachments. If a message claims to be from the IRS, go directly to IRS.gov instead of using the link in the message.
2. AI-Enabled IRS Impersonation Calls
IRS impersonation calls aren’t new, but technology has made them more convincing. In 2026, scammers can use artificial intelligence to create realistic voice messages, polished scripts, or automated calls that sound official.
These callers may claim you owe back taxes, missed a payment, failed to respond to a notice, or are about to face legal action. They often use fake badge numbers, spoofed caller ID, or intimidating language to make the call feel real.
The biggest warning sign is pressure. Scammers often demand immediate payment and may threaten arrest, deportation, license suspension, business closure, or asset seizure.
The IRS does not demand immediate payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or payment apps. The IRS also gives taxpayers the right to question or appeal the amount owed.
If you receive a threatening tax related call, do not provide information and do not make a payment. Hang up and verify the issue through official IRS channels or a trusted tax professional.
3. Ghost Tax Preparers
A ghost tax preparer is someone who prepares a tax return but refuses to sign it as the paid preparer, which is a major red flag. Paid tax return preparers are required to sign returns and include a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). A preparer who avoids signing may be trying to disappear if the return is questioned later.
Ghost preparers may promise unusually large refunds, invent deductions, claim credits you do not qualify for, or ask you to sign a blank or incomplete return. Some may direct your refund into their own account or charge a fee based on the size of your refund.
The danger is simple: You are responsible for what appears on your tax return, even if someone else prepared it.
Watch for these warning signs:
A trustworthy tax professional should be transparent, credentialed, willing to answer questions, and careful with documentation.
4. Post-Deadline Identity Theft
Tax identity theft can happen before, during, or after filing season. A criminal may use stolen personal information to file a fraudulent return, access your IRS online account, claim a refund, or change financial information.
You may not discover the problem until after filing season. Warning signs can include a rejected electronic return, an IRS letter about a return you did not file, a refund delay that does not make sense, or tax records showing activity you do not recognize.
For businesses, identity theft can involve stolen EINs, payroll records, employee W2 data, vendor files, tax software credentials, or compromised email accounts. A single hacked account can expose sensitive employee and client information.
One useful protection is an IRS Identity Protection PIN. This six-digit number helps prevent someone else from filing a tax return using your SSN or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). It’s especially worth considering if you have experienced identity theft, received suspicious tax notices, or had personal information exposed in a breach.
5. Fake Charity Scams
Fake charity scams often appear after natural disasters, community tragedies, global events, or high profile causes. Scammers create organizations with names that sound legitimate, then ask for donations by phone, email, text, social media, or fake websites.
These scams can cost you money and expose your personal information. They can also create tax problems if you claim a charitable deduction for a donation that does not qualify.
Before donating, verify the organization. Be cautious if someone pressures you to give immediately, asks for payment through unusual methods, or refuses to provide clear information about the charity.
Businesses should also be careful with charitable sponsorship requests, donation invoices, and employee giving campaigns. A fake request can look convincing, especially if it references a local event or familiar cause.
6. Misleading Social Media Tax Advice
Bad tax advice spreads quickly online. In 2026, taxpayers should be cautious with viral posts, videos, and ads that promise hidden refunds, secret credits, or unusual ways to get money from the IRS.
Some schemes encourage taxpayers to claim credits they do not qualify for, report false income, manipulate forms, or file amended returns based on incomplete or misleading information. These claims can lead to refund delays, penalties, audits, or deeper tax problems.
It’s especially important to pay attention after filing season because taxpayers may see posts claiming they missed a credit and should amend their return immediately. Do not amend a return based on social media advice alone. If something sounds too good to be true, have a qualified tax professional review it before you act.
7. Fake Tax Debt Relief Offers
Tax debt relief scams often target people who owe the IRS or are worried about penalties. These companies may promise to settle tax debt for “pennies on the dollar” without reviewing the person’s full financial situation.
There are legitimate IRS programs, including Offer in Compromise, installment agreements, and other resolution options. But not everyone qualifies. Any company that guarantees a specific result before reviewing your income, assets, expenses, tax history, and documentation should be treated with caution.
Keep an eye out for red flags:
A CPA can help you understand what options may actually apply to your situation and whether a tax relief offer is realistic.
8. Fake IRS Online Account or Transcript Assistance
Scammers may offer to help you set up an IRS online account, check your refund, retrieve transcripts, fix account access, or verify your identity. Their real goal may be to collect your credentials, MFA codes, SSN, driver’s license information, or tax records.
You should create and manage IRS accounts directly through IRS.gov. Never share your login credentials, verification codes, or identity documents with someone you did not independently verify.
Businesses should also control who can access tax software, payroll accounts, document storage, and government portals. Limit access to the people who truly need it and remove access when employees or vendors no longer require it.
9. Fake Amended Return or Refund Correction Scams
After filing season, scammers may claim you made an error and need to submit corrected information. The message may say your refund is delayed, your bank account is wrong, your tax return is incomplete, or you qualify for a larger refund if you act quickly.
These scams may ask for copies of your tax return, W2s, 1099s, business records, bank details, or login credentials. Some may direct you to a fake amended return portal.
Before you provide information or amend a return, verify the issue. A legitimate tax correction should be based on actual records and reviewed carefully. Filing unnecessary or inaccurate amended returns can create more problems than it solves.
10. Business Spear Phishing & Payroll Scams
Businesses are attractive targets because they hold employee data, vendor records, tax documents, payroll details, and banking information.
A spear phishing email is more targeted than a generic scam. It can appear to come from a company executive, employee, vendor, client, tax advisor, or software provider. The message may ask someone to update direct deposit details, send W2s, change payment information, or upload tax documents through a fake link.
Business owners should take these requests seriously—but not at face value. Any unusual request involving payroll, employee records, banking changes, or tax files should be verified through a separate trusted channel.
How to Protect Yourself & Your Business from Tax Scams
You don’t have to become a fraud expert to avoid tax scams. You just have to develop a few disciplined habits: slowing down, verifying the source, protecting sensitive information, and getting help before responding to anything that feels unusual.
The following steps can help individuals and businesses reduce risk before a scammer gets access to money, tax records, or identity information.
File Early If You Can
Filing early can reduce the window of opportunity for someone else to file a fraudulent return using your information. But you don’t have to rush the process. File when your records are complete and accurate.
For businesses, staying organized throughout the year makes tax season less chaotic and reduces the risk of errors, missed forms, and rushed decisions.
Know How the IRS Communicates
One of the best ways to avoid tax scams is to understand how the IRS normally contacts taxpayers.
The IRS typically contacts taxpayers first by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. The IRS does not initiate contact by email, text, or social media to request personal information, financial information, tax account information, passwords, or payment details. There are some cases where the IRS may call or visit, but these usually follow prior written communication.
When in doubt, do not respond directly to the message or caller. Verify independently.
Slow Down When a Message Creates Fear or Urgency
Scammers want you to panic. A legitimate tax issue usually gives you time to review, verify, and respond.
Before you act, ask:
A short pause can prevent a costly mistake.
Never Share Sensitive Tax Information Through Unsecured Channels
Tax records contain information that can be used for identity theft, financial fraud, and business account compromise.
Be careful with:
Use secure portals whenever possible. Avoid sending sensitive documents through regular email unless a trusted advisor has provided secure instructions.
Verify Tax Professionals Before Hiring Them
A qualified tax professional can help you avoid mistakes, but the wrong preparer can create serious problems.
Before hiring someone, confirm their credentials, ask about their experience, and make sure they sign the return as the paid preparer. Review your return before signing it. Never sign a blank return. Make sure your refund is going to your bank account, not the preparer’s account.
Be cautious of anyone who promises a large refund before reviewing your records. Responsible tax professionals do not guarantee outcomes without seeing the facts.
Be Cautious If Something Sounds “Too Good to Be True”
Scams often sound attractive because they offer a shortcut: a bigger refund, a secret credit, instant tax debt forgiveness, or a way to fix a problem without documentation.
Legitimate tax work is based on records, eligibility, tax law, and careful review. If someone promises a result that sounds too easy, slow down.
Be especially careful with claims like:
A simple rule can help: The bigger the promise, the more carefully you should verify it. Before claiming a credit, amending a return, signing with a tax relief company, or sharing personal information, ask for documentation and get a second opinion from a qualified tax professional.
Strengthen Business Security
Business tax scam prevention should involve more than the accounting department. Owners, managers, HR teams, payroll teams, and finance staff all need clear procedures.
Helpful steps include:
Businesses should also have a clear response plan for suspected data exposure, payroll fraud, or identity theft.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you receive a suspicious IRS related email, text, social media message, phone call, or letter, report it. The IRS accepts reports of fake IRS, U.S. Treasury, and tax-related messages and provides guidance for reporting scams, identity theft, preparer misconduct, and other tax-related wrongdoing.
If you believe your identity has been stolen, act quickly. Keep records of notices, messages, and steps taken. You may also need to contact banks, credit bureaus, payroll providers, software providers, or legal counsel depending on the situation.
Talk to a Trusted CPA Before Responding
If a tax message feels suspicious, ask for help. A trusted CPA can determine whether a notice, call, email, refund issue, amended return request, or tax debt claim is legitimate.
For individuals, this approach can prevent unnecessary payments, inaccurate amended returns, and identity theft exposure. For businesses, it can help protect payroll data, tax records, employee information, and financial systems.
FAQs About Post Season Tax Scams
Does the IRS Contact Taxpayers by Email, Text, or Social Media?
The IRS typically contacts taxpayers first by mail. It does not initiate contact by email, text, or social media to ask for personal, financial, or tax account information. If you receive an unexpected electronic message claiming to be from the IRS, treat it carefully and verify it through IRS.gov or a trusted tax professional.
What Should I Do If I Receive a Suspicious IRS Email or Text?
Do not click links, open attachments, reply, or call numbers listed in suspicious IRS messages. Go directly to IRS.gov or contact a trusted CPA for help reviewing the issue. Suspicious IRS related messages can also be reported to the IRS.
What Is a Ghost Tax Preparer?
A ghost preparer is someone who prepares a tax return but refuses to sign it or include a valid PTIN. Paid preparers are required to sign the return and include their PTIN. If they refuse, it’s a major red flag.
Can a Tax Scam Happen After I Already Filed My Return?
Yes. Post-season scams may involve fake refund updates, amended return claims, IRS impersonation calls, identity theft, fake tax debt relief offers, fake charity requests, or requests for additional information.
How Can I Tell If a Tax Refund Message Is Real?
Do not trust refund links in emails or texts. Check refund status directly through official IRS tools or ask a trusted tax professional to help you verify the situation.
What Is an IRS Identity Protection PIN?
An IRS Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit number that helps prevent someone else from filing a return using your SSN or ITIN. It can be especially helpful for taxpayers who have experienced identity theft or suspicious tax activity.
Are Fake Charity Donations Considered Tax Scams?
Yes. Fake charities may collect money and personal information while pretending to support a real cause. They may also create tax issues if you claim a deduction for a donation that does not qualify. Verify charities before giving.
What Should Business Owners Watch Out for After Tax Season?
Business owners should watch for payroll phishing, W2 and 1099 scams, vendor impersonation, fake IRS notices, tax software login scams, fake document portals, and suspicious requests for EINs, employee records, bank details, or tax files.
Should I Amend My Return If I See a Tax Credit Promoted Online?
Not without verifying eligibility. Misleading social media tax advice can lead to inaccurate returns, refund delays, penalties, and IRS scrutiny. A qualified tax professional can help you determine whether an amended return is appropriate.
When Should I Contact a CPA About a Possible Tax Scam?
Contact a CPA if you receive a suspicious IRS notice, refund message, tax debt threat, identity verification request, amended return suggestion, or communication asking for sensitive tax information. It is better to verify before responding than to repair the damage afterward.
Contact Fisher, P.A. for Accounting & Tax Planning Assistance
Post-season tax scams are designed to look urgent, official, and convincing. But most scams rely on the same basic strategy: creating pressure, asking for sensitive information, and pushing you to act before you verify.
The safest approach is to slow down. Do not click unexpected links, share sensitive tax information through unsecured channels, make unusual payments, or trust big promises without documentation. If something feels off, verify it through official sources or a trusted tax professional.
For individuals and businesses, working with a qualified CPA can make a major difference. The right advisor can help you understand IRS notices, evaluate suspicious communication, avoid inaccurate filings, protect sensitive records, and make informed decisions.
At Fisher, P.A., our experienced CPAs are committed to supporting you every step of the way. We’re here to answer your questions, walk you through our tax compliance and financial planning services, and guide you through the tax preparation process. We serve individuals, families, and businesses in North Carolina and throughout the country, and our goal is to lift the burden of accounting from your shoulders.
Call us at 704.332.7800 or fill out our contact form today to schedule a consultation.
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