Below is a summary of this post:

• The IRS warns taxpayers to be vigilant against email and text scams during tax season.
• The annual Dirty Dozen tax scams campaign highlights phishing and smishing schemes.
• Scammers often impersonate the IRS or other tax entities to deceive taxpayers.
• The Security Summit works to protect taxpayers and the tax system from identity theft and scams.
• Taxpayers should watch for fake communications posing as legitimate tax or financial organizations.
• The IRS will never initiate contact via email, text, or social media for bills or refunds.
• Report scams to phishing@irs.gov and verify the sender's identity in suspicious messages.

As the tax filing deadline nears, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) cautions taxpayers to remain vigilant against email and text scams related to refunds or tax issues. The annual Dirty Dozen tax scams campaign highlights phishing and smishing schemes, where cybercriminals attempt to steal taxpayer information via deceptive emails or texts.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel emphasizes that scammers often impersonate the IRS or other tax entities in emails and texts, especially during filing season. The Security Summit, comprising the IRS, state tax agencies, and the nation's tax industry, works to protect taxpayers and the tax system from identity thieves and scams.

The Dirty Dozen is an annual IRS list of 12 scams that jeopardize taxpayers and tax professionals. Taxpayers and professionals should watch for fake communications posing as legitimate tax or financial organizations. There are two main types: phishing (emails) and smishing (texts). Both employ tactics such as offering false tax refunds or threatening legal action.

The IRS will never initiate contact via email, text, or social media for bills or refunds. Individuals should avoid clicking on unsolicited IRS communications and report scams to phishing@irs.gov. Taxpayers are also warned to be cautious of messages from potentially compromised accounts of friends or family and to verify the sender's identity through alternative communication methods.

Be wary of any messages you get about taxes, refunds, or fraud. Check the URLs. And, if ever in doubt, do not provide any sensitive information unless you are sure of the site where you re entering it.