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The IRS recently issued its annual Dirty Dozen list of the scams and schemes that put taxpayers at risk of losing money, personal information, data and more.
As technology becomes more sophisticated, so do schemes. The IRS warns taxpayers to watch for potential fake charitable organizations, false fuel tax credits, and unexpected emails and text messages about refunds or tax issues. Another top concern is phishing, where a taxpayer many receive links in an email or text message that appear to be from a trusted source, but can compromise personal information should a person open a link or attachment.
This year, the IRS is highlighting Employee Retention Credits (ERC) following "blatant attempts by promoters to con ineligible people to claim the credit." The IRS specifically pointed to schemes on radio and internet ads touting ERC refunds. These promotions can be based on inaccurate information related to eligibility for and computation of the credit.
In general, the IRS advises taxpayers to:
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Avoid clicking suspicious links in texts or emails
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Double-check requests with the original sender
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Be vigilant year-round, not just during filing season
For more information on schemes and reporting fraud, visit the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and Abusive Tax Schemes and Abusive Tax Return Preparers.
Read the full Dirty Dozen list.