Tax Scams Increase During Filing Season & How Serious Taxpayers Protect Themselves
As filing season approaches, tax scams increase sharply, warns Steve Perry, EA of Books, Taxes & More.
High-income individuals and business owners are targeted because scammers assume complexity creates hesitation and urgency creates mistakes. The more income, entities, and activity involved, the more believable a fraudulent message can appear.
Understanding how these scams work—and how legitimate IRS contact actually occurs—is essential to protecting yourself.
How Modern Tax Scams Are Designed to Work
Tax scams rely on three things: speed, confusion, and fear.
Common tactics include:
• impersonated IRS phone calls
• urgent payment demands
• emails or letters designed to appear official
• charity-related fraud tied to deductions
The goal is not accuracy. It is to force action before verification.
What Legitimate IRS Contact Does Not Look Like
The IRS does not:
• demand payment by gift card
• request cryptocurrency or wire transfers
• threaten arrest without prior written notice
• require immediate payment by phone or text
Any communication that includes these elements should be treated as suspicious until verified.
Why Filing Season Creates More Risk
During filing season, taxpayers are:
• busy and distracted
• receiving real IRS correspondence
• making payments and disclosures
• less likely to slow down and verify
Scammers exploit this overlap between legitimate activity and heightened stress.
How Serious Taxpayers Protect Themselves
Experienced taxpayers reduce risk by:
• verifying all IRS contact independently
• centralizing IRS communication
• avoiding emotional reactions
• using professional representation
Speed rarely protects you. Verification does.
A Simple Protection Checklist
✔ Do not click unsolicited links
✔ Do not provide information by phone or text
✔ Validate notices independently before responding
✔ Never send payment without confirmation
If something feels urgent, that is the moment to slow down.
Why Professional Representation Matters
Professional representation creates a buffer between the taxpayer and the threat—real or fraudulent.
At Books, Taxes & More, clients are guided through verification and response before any action is taken. That process alone prevents many costly mistakes.
What Happens Next
If you receive a notice or communication and aren’t sure whether it’s legitimate, validation should always come before reaction.
Call (678) 717-9818
Email [email protected]
Message directly on LinkedIn
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the IRS contact taxpayers about taxes owed?
The IRS initiates most enforcement and compliance actions through official notices sent by U.S. Mail. The IRS does not initiate contact by text message, social media, or unsolicited email demanding payment.
Q: Will the IRS ever threaten arrest or immediate jail time?
No. The IRS does not threaten arrest, deportation, or law enforcement action in initial communications. Claims of immediate arrest are a common sign of a scam.
Q: Can IRS notices be legitimate even if they look alarming?
Yes. Real IRS notices often contain strong language, deadlines, and references to enforcement actions. The tone alone does not determine whether a notice is real.
Q: What happens if I ignore a real IRS notice?
Ignoring a legitimate IRS notice can result in penalties, interest, loss of appeal rights, wage garnishments, bank levies, or liens. IRS notices escalate if left unanswered.
Q: Should I respond to an IRS notice myself?
Some notices require careful handling. Responding incorrectly—or not at all—can waive rights or trigger enforcement. Professional review is recommended before taking action.
Q: How can an Enrolled Agent help with IRS notices?
An Enrolled Agent can verify the legitimacy of a notice, communicate directly with the IRS, protect deadlines, stop escalation when possible, and guide the taxpayer through the correct resolution strategy.
