Phil Liberatore warns taxpayers about rising IRS Dirty Dozen scams

Financial advisor and tax expert Phil Liberatore is urging Americans to watch for the IRS’s 2026 Dirty Dozen tax scams as fraudsters use phishing, fake refunds and social media to steal money and personal data. The warning comes as the IRS says tax fraud and financial crimes remained a multibillion-dollar problem in 2024.

Why it matters: - Tax scams can drain bank accounts, steal identities and trigger false filings that are hard to unwind. - The IRS says many of the most dangerous schemes intensify during tax season, when people are looking for help and moving quickly. - IRS Criminal Investigation uncovered more than $9.1 billion in tax fraud and financial crimes during 2024. - Retirees, high-net-worth individuals and small business owners are common targets because scammers see them as valuable sources of assets and personal information.

What happened: - Phil Liberatore, a veteran financial advisor and tax expert in Los Angeles, warned taxpayers to stay alert to the IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” list of top tax scams. - Liberatore said scammers are becoming more aggressive and convincing, especially through email, text messages, phone calls and social media. - He urged taxpayers to verify unexpected messages and consult a trusted professional before acting. - The warning also points readers to the company's announcement.

The details: - The IRS Dirty Dozen is released annually and highlights common threats facing taxpayers. - The 2026 list includes phishing and smishing, fake charities, false refund claims, misleading social media tax advice and abusive tax schemes. - The IRS says it generally initiates contact through traditional mail and does not demand immediate payment through texts, emails or social media. - The agency warns taxpayers to be wary of messages promising unusually large refunds or promoting questionable tax strategies. - The 2026 Dirty Dozen also includes AI-generated IRS phone scams and spoofed calls with fake voices and caller IDs. - Other items on the list include identity theft involving IRS online accounts, fraudulent Form 2439 claims, bogus “Self-Employment Tax Credit” promotions and ghost tax preparers. - The list further includes non-cash charitable contribution schemes, overstated withholding refund schemes, spear-phishing and malware attacks on tax professionals, and misleading Offer in Compromise marketing, sometimes called “OIC mills.” - Liberatore said scammers use urgency, confusion and fear to get taxpayers to act before they think.

Between the lines: - The scale of the fraud suggests tax scams are becoming more organized and more dependent on digital impersonation. - Social media has become a major weak point because bad tax advice can spread quickly and look credible. - The IRS message is simple: slow down, verify the source and avoid sharing sensitive information with anyone who contacts you first.

What's next: - Taxpayers should expect scammers to keep adapting their tactics around filing season and major events. - Liberatore said awareness is one of the strongest defenses, especially when people verify claims before responding. - The IRS will continue to update its Dirty Dozen warnings each year as new schemes emerge.

The bottom line: - The fastest way to lose money in a tax scam is to respond in a hurry. Verify first, then act.