Every year, the IRS releases its “Dirty Dozen” list, highlighting the most common tax scams targeting taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals. The goal is simple: raise awareness so people can recognize fraud and avoid costly mistakes during tax season and beyond.
These scams often spike during tax filing season, when scammers know people are sharing personal information and expecting refunds. But the IRS warns that they can happen any time of the year.
Common Scams on the Dirty Dozen List
Some of the most common schemes included in the IRS Dirty Dozen campaign include:
Phishing and Smishing Attacks
Scammers send emails or text messages pretending to be from the IRS. These messages may claim there’s an issue with your return or promise a refund in order to get you to click a malicious link or provide personal information.
Misleading Tax Advice on Social Media
Online platforms sometimes spread incorrect or misleading tax strategies. Following this advice can lead to filing inaccurate returns or claiming credits you are not eligible for.
Fake Help Setting Up IRS Accounts
Fraudsters may offer assistance creating an IRS online account, but their goal is to capture personal details that can be used for identity theft or fraudulent tax filings.
Fraudulent Charities
Scammers often set up fake charities following natural disasters or major events to collect donations and personal information from well-meaning donors.
Improper Tax Credit Claims
Promoters sometimes encourage taxpayers to claim credits they don’t qualify for in order to inflate refunds. Filing inaccurate claims can result in audits, penalties, or repayment requirements.
How To Protect Yourself
The IRS recommends several simple precautions to reduce your risk of falling victim to tax scams:
- Be cautious of unexpected emails, texts, or phone calls claiming to be from the IRS
- Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown senders
- Verify tax professionals before sharing personal or financial information
- Be skeptical of tax advice found on social media
- Report suspicious activity to the IRS
Learn More About the IRS Dirty Dozen
For a detailed description of each scam, visit the official IRS announcement:
Prior IRS Dirty Dozen Lists
The IRS has released the Dirty Dozen campaign annually for many years to educate taxpayers about emerging scams:
- 2025 — Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2025: IRS warns taxpayers to watch out for dangerous threats
- 2024 — Dirty Dozen: Bogus tax avoidance strategies, schemes with an international element wrap up annual taxpayer awareness campaign
- 2023 — IRS wraps up 2023 Dirty Dozen list; reminds taxpayers and tax pros to be wary of scams and schemes, even after tax season
- 2022 — IRS wraps up 2022 Dirty Dozen scams list: agency urges taxpayers to watch out for tax avoidance strategies
- 2021 — IRS announces Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2021
- 2020 — IRS unveils Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2020; Americans urged to be vigilant to these threats during the pandemic and its aftermath
- 2019 — IRS concludes Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2019: Agency encourages taxpayers to remain vigilant year-round
- 2018 — IRS wraps up Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2018; encourages taxpayers to remain vigilant
- 2017 — IRS summarizes Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2017
- 2016 — IRS wraps up the Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2016
- 2015 — IRS completes the Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2015
- 2014 — IRS releases the Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2014
Stay Alert Year-Round
Tax scams evolve every year, but the goal remains the same: trick people into sharing personal information or filing fraudulent claims. Staying informed about common scams—and verifying information before taking action—can help protect both your finances and your identity.