FIELD NOTESecurityFIELD NOTE · April 27, 2026
The IRS 2026 Dirty Dozen: AI calls, fake refunds, and red flags
Turn the current scam list into recognizable situations: impersonation, phishing, bad social-media advice, ghost preparers, and inflated-refund promises.
What to do this week
- 1
Pause when a message creates urgency or promises an unusual refund.
- 2
Verify every tax claim on IRS.gov or with a trusted professional.
- 3
Report suspicious IRS-themed messages through official channels.
How to use this field note
Use the checklist to organize records and identify the question that needs attention. Confirm deadlines and federal requirements against the linked official source. State, local, entity-specific, and fact-specific rules may differ.
Educational informationThis ProTax resource helps you prepare and communicate. It is not a tax calculation, eligibility decision, legal opinion, or promise of a filing result.