Stay Ahead of Tax Scams During Small Business Week
- MyTAXPrepOffice Editorial Group
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
As we celebrate Small Business Week, it’s a great time to recognize the dedication, innovation, and resilience of business owners across the country. It’s also an important reminder to protect what you’ve built—especially as tax-related scams continue to rise.
The IRS and the broader tax community have ramped up efforts to alert small businesses of emerging threats. In fact, the launch of the Coalition Against Scams and Schemes Threats (CASST) in response to a surge of scams is just one example of how seriously this issue is being taken.
Know the Threats
The IRS recently released the 2025 Dirty Dozen, a list of common and aggressive scams. Many target business owners just like you:
Fake Client Scams & Phishing Emails: Fraudsters may pose as potential clients or even the IRS, tricking you into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information.
Smishing Attacks: These SMS scams often use alarming messages like “Unusual activity reported” or “Your account is on hold,” and include fake links to “fix” the issue.
Bogus Tax Advice on Social Media: Misinformation about credits, deductions, or tax filings spreads quickly online. Always confirm with a trusted tax professional before acting.
Fake Charities & Credit Claims: Scammers may solicit donations or offer help claiming credits—only to steal your business or personal data.
How to Stay Protected
Here are steps every small business owner should take to protect their company from tax-related fraud:
🔐 Boost Your Cybersecurity: Use reputable anti-virus and anti-malware software with automatic updates. Enforce strong password policies and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all sensitive accounts.
🔒 Protect Your EIN (Employer Identification Number): Your EIN is like a social security number for your business. Keep it private and current. Use Form 8822-B to report any changes to your business address or responsible party.
📲 Be Cautious with Emails and Texts: The IRS will never contact you by email, text, or social media about a tax bill or refund. Don’t click links or share information unless you’re sure the communication is legitimate.
🧠 Educate Your Team: Train your employees on how to recognize phishing, smishing, and other threats. Use resources like IRS Identity Theft Central for ongoing education.
🌐 Stick to Secure Sites: Only input business or financial data on secure (https://) websites. This is your first line of defense against hackers and scammers.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam:
Email phishing attempts to phishing@irs.gov
Report data losses (e.g., W-2 scams) to dataloss@irs.gov
Notify states of ID disclosures at statealert@taxadmin.org
Final Thought
Your business is a vital part of your community and the economy. As you grow, protect your investment by staying alert and proactive. This Small Business Week, make security a priority—because a safe business is a successful one.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal tax advice. Advanced Tax Solutions is not liable or responsible for any damages resulting from or related to your use of this information. It is your responsibility to refer to official IRS documentation for information regarding any tax laws or tax information shown here.
