Quick red flags
- ⢠Urgent threats, pressure, or âact nowâ language
- ⢠Links, QR codes, or attachments you werenât expecting
- ⢠Demands for payment by gift card, crypto, or wire
- ⢠Requests for passwords, verification codes, or full SSNs
Mountain Bookkeeping & Tax Solutions is sharing these highlights so you can spot red flags early and protect your money, your identity, and your peace of mind. If anything in this list sounds familiar, we can help you review notices, verify whatâs legitimate, and respond safely.
1. Fake IRS emails, texts, and QR codes
Scammers are sending emails, texts, DMs, and QR codes that look like theyâre from the IRS, often with urgent language about refunds, account âverification,â or threats of penalties. Clicking these links can send you to fake websites or install malware (including ransomware) on your phone or computer.
How we can help
If you receive a message claiming to be from the IRS, send it to Ginny before you click anything or respond. We can help you confirm whether itâs legitimate and guide you on reporting phishing attempts.
2. AI-powered IRS phone scams
Phone scams are getting more sophisticated, with AI-generated voices, spoofed caller ID, and robocalls that sound convincing. The IRS generally contacts taxpayers by mail first and does not call to demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, or leave aggressive prerecorded messages.
How we can help
If you get a âtax emergencyâ phone call, hang up and call Ginny or log into your IRS Online Account directly from IRS.gov. We can help you match any call against your real account history before you pay a dime.
3. Fake charities after disasters
Fraudsters set up fake charitiesâoften after natural disasters or major tragediesâto steal donations and personal information. Only donations to IRS-recognized tax-exempt organizations are deductible when you itemize.
How we can help
Before you donate, Ginny can help you verify that an organization is a qualified charity and correctly track your contributions so you donât lose a legitimate deduction.
4. âTax hackâ advice on social media
Viral âtax hacksâ on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook encourage people to claim credits or deductions they donât qualify for, or file returns with false information. Following this kind of advice can delay your refund, trigger an audit, and lead to penalties or even criminal consequences.
How we can help
Instead of following strangers online, run any âhackâ by Ginny. Weâll explain what actually applies to your situation and prepare your return accurately and defensibly.
5. Identity theft through IRS Online Accounts
Criminals are trying to access taxpayersâ IRS Online Accounts using stolen personal information or by posing as âhelpersâ to set them up for you. Once inside, they can see sensitive data or redirect your refund.
How we can help
Ginny can walk you through setting up your IRS Online Account safelyâon your own device, using official IRS links onlyâand help monitor for unusual notices or activity tied to your account.
6. Abusive claims involving Form 2439 and long-term capital gains
The IRS is seeing an uptick in bogus claims tied to Form 2439 (Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains). Some schemes involve overstated or completely fabricated credits linked to fake or misused investment funds and real estate trusts, which can lead to delayed refunds, audits, and enforcement action.
How we can help
If someone promises a âhuge refundâ using special capital gains credits youâve never heard of, talk to Ginny first. We can review any proposed strategy, confirm if you truly qualify, and help you avoid abusive promotions.
7. Bogus âSelf-Employment Tax Creditâ promotions
Promoters are pushing a broad âself-employment tax creditâ and encouraging taxpayers to file inaccurate returns to generate improper refunds. Many people simply do not qualify, and the IRS is closely reviewing these claims.
How we can help
As a small-business and self-employed specialist, Ginny can sort out which credits you actually qualify for and file your return correctly the first time, minimizing your audit risk.
8. âGhostâ tax preparers
A âghost preparerâ prepares your return but refuses to sign it or include their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Thatâs a major red flag. You, not the ghost preparer, are legally responsible for everything that gets filedâeven if itâs wrong.
How we can help
Ginny signs the returns she prepares and uses a valid PTIN, so you always know who did the work. We will never ask you to sign a blank return and weâll walk you through the numbers so you understand whatâs being filed.
9. Inflated non-cash charitable contributions
Some schemes inflate the value of donated propertyâoften through syndicated conservation easements or artâto promise huge tax write-offs. The IRS warns that it can hold refunds while it verifies questionable claims and may pursue enforcement when values are made up or exaggerated.
How we can help
Before you claim a large non-cash donation, Ginny can help you understand the documentation and appraisal requirements and make sure youâre reporting fair values.
10. Overstated wage withholding schemes
Promoters are encouraging taxpayers to inflate âother withholdingâ or report incorrect wage and withholding data on forms like W-2 and various 1099s to generate large refunds. The IRS matches withholding claims against employer and third-party records and may delay processing, assess penalties, and take enforcement action when numbers donât match.
How we can help
Ginny reconciles your W-2s, 1099s, and other documents carefully against your return, so your withholding and income match IRS records and your refund isnât derailed by inaccurate claims.
11. Spear-phishing and malware targeting tax pros and businesses
Scammers send ânew clientâ or âdocument requestâ emails to tax professionals and businesses with malicious links or attachments designed to steal client data or take over systems. Red flags include unexpected requests for sensitive information, unfamiliar email addresses, urgent payment demands, or links that donât clearly originate from IRS.gov.
How we can help
Ginny follows strong security practices to protect your data and will never email you out-of-the-blue asking for passwords or full Social Security numbers. If you receive a suspicious message that appears to reference your tax work, forward it to her for review.
12. Misleading Offer in Compromise (âOIC millâ) ads
The IRS Offer in Compromise program can genuinely help taxpayers who canât pay their full tax debt, but aggressive âOIC millsâ overpromise results and charge high fees to people who donât qualify. The IRS offers free tools so you can check basic eligibility yourself.
How we can help
If youâre behind on taxes, Ginny can help you evaluate whether options like an installment agreement or Offer in Compromise are realistic for you, before you sign any high-pressure contracts or pay big upfront fees.
What to do if you get a suspicious call, email, or text
According to the IRS, you should avoid clicking unexpected links or opening attachments, hang up on suspicious IRS-related calls, and report phishing attempts directly to [email protected] using the official instructions on IRS.gov.
If you think your tax identity has been compromised, the IRS directs you to IRS.gov/idtheft for next steps, and suspected tax fraud or abusive schemes can be reported through IRS.gov/SubmitATip.
Work with a trusted local bookkeeping & tax pro
Scammers are getting smarter every year, but you donât have to sort this out alone. Working with a trusted professional like Mountain Bookkeeping & Tax Solutions gives you a year-round partner who knows your books, understands IRS rules, and can spot red flags before they become expensive problems.
Contact Mountain BookkeepingEducational information only; tax rules vary by situation.