The IRS, in partnership with state tax administrators, tax software companies, the tax professional community, and other members of the broader tax industry, held the Security Summit’s tenth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week from December 1 through December 5, 2025.
This annual event is part of the Security Summit’s ongoing effort to combat tax-related identity theft by encouraging taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses to strengthen their safeguards against fraud.
Ongoing Threats From Identity Theft Scams
Identity thieves continue to impersonate the IRS and trusted organizations using fake emails, text messages, and online scams. They also exploit natural disasters, tragedies, and charitable causes to trick victims into sharing sensitive personal and financial information, which can lead to tax-related identity theft.
As the filing season approaches, Security Summit partners emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant and taking proactive steps to protect tax and financial data.
Heightened Awareness Required for Tax Professionals
Tax preparers remain a prime target for identity thieves because they receive and store large volumes of sensitive taxpayer information.
To help protect tax practices from data loss or system breaches, the IRS and Security Summit partners released an updated Written Information Security Plan (WISP) publication this past summer. This publication serves as a roadmap for safeguarding taxpayer data and strengthening security protocols.
Tax professionals are reminded that they are required by law to:
- Maintain a completed Written Information Security Plan (WISP)
- Use multi-factor authentication for their systems and when interacting electronically with clients
For more information, see the following IRS resources:
- Publication 5708 – Creating a Written Information Security Plan for Your Tax & Accounting Practice
- IRS News Release 2025-79 – “Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself” series highlighting the importance of having a WISP
- National Tax Security Awareness Week 2025 Webpage
Encourage Clients to Sign Up for an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
One of the most effective ways taxpayers can prevent identity thieves from filing fraudulent tax returns is by obtaining an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) from the IRS.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to add this extra layer of protection by enrolling in the IP PIN program at the start of the filing season. Taxpayers can obtain an IP PIN after creating an IRS Online Account, which allows secure access to current and prior-year tax information.
Additional IRS resources include:
- IRS News Release 2024-303 – Guard against fraudsters with an IRS Identity Protection PIN
- Get an Identity Protection PIN
- IRS News Release 2024-278 – IRS encourages all taxpayers to sign up for an IP PIN for the 2025 tax season
Beware of Tax Schemes and Misinformation on Social Media
The IRS and Security Summit partners continue to see an increase in misleading and fraudulent tax advice circulating on social media platforms.
The most common scams being promoted include:
- Household Employment Taxes, where taxpayers are encouraged to invent fake household employees
- Fuel Tax Credit, which is intended only for off-highway business and farming use; most individual taxpayers do not qualify
- Inflated Income and Withholding, encouraging taxpayers to falsify Form W-2 information using tax software
- Claim of Right, advising taxpayers to improperly deduct the full amount of their wages
For more information, visit:
- Recognize Tax Scams and Fraud Webpage
- IRS News Release 2024-302 – IRS and Security Summit partners urge caution about bad tax advice on social media
Phishing, Smishing, and Online Safety Risks
Taxpayers and tax professionals should remain alert for common online scams, including:
- Phishing and smishing
- Spear phishing, clone phishing, and whaling
- Fake delivery notifications, especially common during the holiday season
- Unexpected messages promising tax refunds
Further guidance is available on the IRS Recognize Tax Scams and Fraud webpage.
Where to Find Additional Security Resources
For more information on protecting taxpayer data and strengthening security practices, visit the following IRS resources:
- IRS Security Summit Page
- Publication 4557 – Safeguarding Taxpayer Data
- Data Theft Information for Tax Professionals
- Publication 5461-D – Tax Professionals Should Review Their Security Protocols
- Publication 5293 – Data Security Resource Guide for Tax Professionals
