Common Tax Scams to Avoid This Season

The IRS has begun accepting tax returns for 2025, but the FTC warns of phishing and smishing scams targeting taxpayers. Common scams include fraudulent emails or texts claiming tax refunds that require personal information verification and phone calls from fake agents demanding back taxes. The FTC advises against engaging with these scams and encourages reporting them. Tax filers can track their refunds using the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund” tool, needing specific personal details for access.