The 2026 tax season is officially underway, and it’s a common time when people’s emails, text messages, and more are flooded with tips, IRS info, and more.
While it’s important to stay on top of your taxes and filing this year, and every year, it’s also important to be careful with your information, as many scammers like to disguise themselves with fake IRS emails and messages, or fake service providers that could ‘help’ you file. We spoke with a tech and cybersecurity pro, James Turgal, about what scams to look out for during tax season and how to keep yourself safe. Read more about what he had to say below.
Struggling With Sleep? This Rechargeable Sound Machine Is A Total Game-Changer
Why Are Fake IRS Scams On The Rise These Days?
Now that tax season is here, everyone is not only gathering their tax information, but many people are also looking out for services that can help them file, as well as any other emails or notifications that can help them get the job done. While a tax-related scam might sound like something that wouldn't happen to you, tech and cybersecurity experts are trying to stress that it very well could be.
"Over the last several years, IRS-related scams have grown significantly more sophisticated, driven largely by advances in artificial intelligence (AI)," explains Turgal. "One of the most prevalent forms is AI-powered phishing, which now includes traditional email phishing as well as smishing (fraudulent text messages) and vishing (voice-based scams). Unlike older scams, these attacks are highly realistic and often lack the usual red flags, such as poor grammar or obvious inconsistencies, making them far more difficult to detect."
"AI is also fueling a rise in deepfake scams that impersonate IRS agents and tax professionals," he continues. "Threat actors can scrape audio and video from public sources, such as press conferences or media interviews, and use voice synthesis and impersonation tools to generate convincing fake statements, phone calls, or videos that appear to come directly from trusted authorities."
How You Can Avoid Email & Other Fake IRS Scams To Stay Safe
Turgal notes that around this time of year, it's super important to keep this in mind in relation to emails about this year's tax season - the IRS sends their official notices through the mail, not via your email.
"To avoid email scams, it's important to recognize both common red flags and the ways legitimate IRS communications differ from fraudulent ones," he explains. "First and foremost, the IRS typically initiates contact through U.S. mail. They do not contact people by email or text message until they have opted in. If someone claims to be from the IRS and immediately demands payment, especially through unconventional methods such as PayPal or gift cards, that is a clear sign of a scam."
Additionally, if you do get some kind of email from an address claiming to be from the IRS, it's important to analyze the address itself and avoid clicking on any links included in it to avoid malware.
Turgal demonstrates how to spot a fake address and how to report what looks like a scam to the actual IRS.
"Email details also provide important clues," he adds. "Always examine the sender's address and email banner closely. Legitimate IRS emails originate from official irs.gov domains. Messages sent from personal or free email services, such as Gmail, are not from the IRS and should be treated as suspicious. Be wary of emails that create a sense of urgency, threaten immediate legal action, or pressure you to click links or download attachments."
"If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an IRS-related email, the IRS provides a dedicated resource at [email protected], where suspected phishing attempts can be verified or reported," he finishes. "Additionally, scams can be reported to the FBI's IC3 Report Center, which helps track and investigate internet-based fraud."
