0326 Publ 6128 (PDF)

Official source: IRS Forms, Instructions & Publications (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p6128.pdf), retrieved 2026-10-03. U.S. Government work (17 U.S.C. § 105).

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Tax fraud happens when someone doesn’t pay taxes owed, gives false information on a tax return to get money they shouldn’t receive, or files a tax return using someone else’s information.

Tax fraud harms you and your community. It can lead to civil or criminal charges, put your money and personal information at risk, and reduce funding for essential community services.

• Choose a trustworthy tax preparer. Avoid return preparers who promise large refunds or charge a fee based on your refund amount. A trustworthy tax preparer will also provide their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) on your tax return and give you a complete copy of your return for your records.

• Protect your return. Never sign a blank tax return, and make sure your refund goes to your account, not your tax preparer’s. Do not file your return if it reports false income, expenses, or dependents.

• Be cautious with emails and texts. Don’t click links or open attachments from unknown senders claiming to be from the IRS. These could be scams that steal your personal information or install malware on your device.

• Don’t fall for social media scams. Ignore social media influencers who encourage you to falsify your tax return with inaccurate income, false withholdings or credits. You could owe a hefty sum to the IRS if your tax return is not accurate, including penalties and interest.

• Report suspicious activity . If you think someone is trying to scam you during tax season contact law enforcement and the IRS.

• Find a vetted tax preparer by visiting www.irs.gov/chooseataxpro.

• Get FREE, IRS-certified help at http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.

• Rely on IRS.gov for answers to questions about tax forms and eligibility for credits and deductions.

• Report scams, tax fraud, or identity theft at www.IRS.gov/SubmitATip.

• If you think you’ve been scammed, call the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490.

Publication 6128 (Rev. 3-2026) Catalog Number 96050E Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov