Every year, the IRS drops its version of the FBI’s Most Wanted List—the Dirty Dozen—a rundown of the biggest, nastiest tax scams running rampant across America. It’s a mix of old cons with new disguises and fresh frauds so slick they’d make a seasoned grifter jealous.
The 2025 list, released on February 27, is a who’s who of tax fraud, from phishing emails to bogus social media tax advice, fake charities, and shady tax preparers promising miracle refunds. But this year, one of these scams didn’t just make headlines—it hit home.
A $1,500 “Tax Strategy” Turns Into an $800,000 Nightmare
Last week, an extended family member reached out, panicked. They had shelled out $1,500 to someone they found on social media who was selling a “little-known tax strategy” to slash their tax bill. Sounded great—until they got a letter from the IRS.
The bill? $800,000.
Yes, you read that right. Almost a million bucks.
That so-called “strategy” turned out to be nothing more than a well-packaged scam that the IRS had specifically called out as #4 on their Dirty Dozen list: Bogus Tax Strategies Pushed on Social Media.
Now, we’re in the trenches, fighting to get this disaster sorted out before it financially ruins them. And trust me, this is not a unique case. These scams are running wild, and good, honest people are getting caught in the trap.
The 2025 Dirty Dozen: What’s Lurking in the Tax Shadows
According to IRS Senior Communications Advisor Terry Lemons, these scams don’t just pop up during tax season—they’re a year-round plague. “Scammers are relentless,” he says. “They use the guise of tax season to try tricking taxpayers into falling into a variety of traps.”
So, what made the cut this year? Here’s a quick look at the worst offenders:
- Phishing Scams: Fake IRS emails, texts, and calls trying to steal personal info.
- Bad Social Media Advice: TikTok and Instagram are breeding grounds for tax fraud.