IRS Scams 2025: How to Protect Your Business and Identity
The IRS is urging taxpayers and small businesses to remain on high alert for IRS scams and identity theft, even after the April 15 tax deadline has passed. This warning comes as part of National Small Business Week, highlighting the year-round threat of fraud and cybercrime.
IRS Dirty Dozen: Top Scams Targeting Taxpayers
Every year, the IRS publishes its Dirty Dozen list, highlighting the most common and dangerous tax-related scams. In 2025, key threats include:
- New client scams: Fraudsters posing as potential customers to extract business data
- Spear phishing attacks: Targeted emails seeking login credentials or tax information
- Fake charities: Scammers using disaster relief or social causes to steal donations
- False credit claims: Social media-driven misinformation about bogus tax credits
- W-2 fraud: Scammers trick employers into disclosing sensitive employee data
These schemes can affect individuals, businesses, and tax professionals alike. To protect your business from IRS scams, the IRS recommends several measures:
- Use strong anti-malware and anti-virus software with automatic updates.
- Enable multi-factor authentication for all accounts handling sensitive data.
- Create strong, unique passwords and change them regularly.
- Never share sensitive information over unverified channels.
- Submit personal data only on secure (HTTPS) websites.
For more details, consult IRS Publication 5961: Protect Your Business from Tax Scams (PDF).
Keeping Your EIN Secure and Up to Date
Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a critical piece of your business identity. Protect it as you would your Social Security number. Any change to your business address or responsible party must be reported via Form 8822-B to maintain EIN security and reduce the risk of fraud.
Watching Out for Disaster-Related Scams
Scammers often target disaster survivors by posing as IRS agents offering fake relief services. If you’ve experienced a natural disaster and are unsure about your tax status, call the IRS disaster assistance line at 866-562-5227. Avoid giving out any personal information unless you are certain you are speaking with an official IRS representative.
Reporting IRS Scams
If you encounter a tax-related scam, take action immediately:
- Email [email protected] to report suspicious IRS messages.
- Report data losses from W-2 scams to [email protected].
- Notify states of identity information breaches at [email protected].
Additional resources and up-to-date scam alerts can be found at IRS.gov/scams and on IRS social media: follow @IRStaxsecurity on X (formerly Twitter).
Final Reminder: Stay Alert Year-Round
Scammers don’t stop after tax season—and neither should your defenses. Whether you’re a small business owner or individual taxpayer, practicing good data hygiene, staying informed, and reporting threats promptly are key to keeping your finances and identity safe.
