Tax season is upon us, and you know what that means: It’s time for IRS scams to start showing up. These scams take the form of anything from phishing emails to fake phone calls — and they can be difficult to spot.

So let’s take a look at the top 10 IRS scams that you should be aware of, as well as some tips on how to avoid falling victim to these scams. The good news is that with a little bit of knowledge (and some caution) you can protect yourself and your personal and financial information. 

Top 10 most common IRS scams 

IRS scams can take many forms and they can be difficult to spot. That's why it's important to be aware of the top 10 IRS scams and to take steps to protect yourself. By following the tips we've provided, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to an IRS scam and safeguard your personal and financial information. 

Phishing emails 

Phishing emails are a common way for scammers to try to steal your personal and financial information. These emails may appear to be from the IRS or other reputable organizations, and they often contain links or attachments that, if clicked, will download malware onto your computer. To avoid falling victim to this type of scam, never click on links or download attachments from emails that you weren't expecting and be especially wary of emails that ask for personal or financial information. 

Fake phone calls 

Another common IRS scam involves fake phone calls from people claiming to be IRS agents. These scammers may tell you that you owe back taxes and that you need to pay them immediately, often through a wire transfer or prepaid debit card. They may also threaten to arrest you or seize your property if you don't pay up.

Remember, the IRS will never call you out of the blue to demand immediate payment or to threaten you with arrest. If you receive a call like this, hang up and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. 

Social security scams 

Scammers may also try to steal your social security number by pretending to be from the IRS or another government agency. They’ll claim that there’s a problem with your social security account and that you need to provide your social security number to fix it. Don't fall for it! The IRS will never ask you for your social security number over the phone. If you receive a call like this, hang up and report it to the Federal Trade Commission. 

Return preparer fraud 

When it comes time to file your taxes, be careful who you choose to prepare your return. Some tax preparers are dishonest and may claim false deductions or credits to increase your refund. This can result in you owing back taxes, fines, and penalties down the line. To avoid return preparer fraud, choose a reputable tax preparer, review your tax return before you sign it, and never sign a blank return. 

Inflated refund scams 

Scammers may also try to get you to claim an inflated refund by promising to get you a larger refund than you're entitled to. They’ll charge you a fee for this service and then disappear with your money. To avoid this scam, never fall for promises of inflated refunds, and be wary of anyone who charges a fee based on a percentage of your refund. 

Falsifying income to claim credits 

Some scammers may try to convince you to falsify your income in order to claim credits or benefits that you're not entitled to. This can result in you owing back taxes, fines, and penalties. To avoid this scam, never agree to falsify your income, and be careful who you trust with your personal and financial information. 

Impersonation of charitable organizations 

Since many people donate to charitable organizations around tax time, scammers will often pretend to be calling you from a charitable organization. They ask for donations in the name of a fake charity, or they set up fake websites that look like legitimate charities. To avoid this scam, do your research before donating to a charity, and be wary of charities that don't provide detailed information about their mission and how they use donations. 

Gift card scams 

Gift card scams involve scammers asking you to pay them using a gift card, usually for taxes that you supposedly owe. The scammer may tell you to buy a specific type of gift card, such as a prepaid debit card or a store gift card, and then to provide them with the card number and PIN. Once you do this, the money is essentially gone, as it's very difficult to recover funds from a compromised gift card. Remember: the IRS will never ask you to pay your taxes using a gift card. If you receive a request like this, hang up and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. 

Tax collection scams 

Some scammers may try to convince you that you owe back taxes and that you need to pay them immediately. They may threaten to arrest you or seize your property if you don't pay up. Remember, the IRS will never threaten you with arrest or seizure of your property if you don't pay your taxes. If you receive a call like this, hang up and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. 

Non-filing scams 

Finally, some scammers may try to convince you that you don't need to file a tax return at all, or that you can get a larger refund by not filing. This is not true! Failing to file a tax return can result in you owing back taxes, fines, and penalties. To avoid this scam, always file a tax return, even if you don't think you owe any taxes. 

How to prevent becoming a victim of an IRS scam 

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the threat of IRS scams, don't worry. With a little bit of knowledge and some caution, you can protect yourself and your family. So take some time to familiarize yourself with these scams and to implement the tips we've provided. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your personal and financial information. 

1. Be wary of unsolicited communication. If you receive an unexpected email or phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, be suspicious. The IRS will generally not initiate contact with you through these channels. 
   
   
2. Don't click on links or download attachments from unknown sources. If you receive an email from someone you don't know, don't click on any links or download any attachments. These could be malicious and may contain malware that can compromise your computer. 
   
   
3. Don't give out personal or financial information. If someone asks you for your social security number, bank account information, or other personal or financial information, be cautious. The IRS will generally not ask you for this information over the phone or through email. 
   
   
4. Be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Make sure to choose a reputable tax preparer and review your tax return before signing it. Don't sign a blank return and be wary of preparers who promise inflated refunds. 
   
   
5. Don't fall for promises of inflated refunds. If someone promises you a larger refund than you're expecting, be suspicious. This could be a sign of a scam. 
   
   
6. Don't agree to falsify your income. Falsifying your income can result in you owing back taxes, fines, and penalties. 
   
   
7. Do your research before donating to a charity. Make sure to do your research before donating to a charity and be wary of charities that don't provide detailed information about their mission and how they use donations. 
   
   
8. Don't pay taxes using gift cards. The IRS will never ask you to pay your taxes using a gift card. If you receive a request like this, it's a scam.

IRS scams are a serious threat, but they don't have to be. By being aware of these scams and taking steps to protect yourself, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to an IRS scam and safeguard your personal and financial information.