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New IRS Portal for Reporting Fraud and Scams

The IRS has launched a new portal that makes it easier to report instances of tax fraud, identity theft, IRS impersonation and other tax-related scams. On the new webpage (link below), people and businesses can report:

- Fake IRS phone calls, emails, and text and social media messages. Scammers posing as government agents often threaten people with arrest unless they submit immediate payments, often in a specific format like gift cards. The IRS does not operate in this way.
- Suspected tax fraud, such as tax evasion schemes or illegal use of offshore accounts.
- Identity theft, which should always be reported to the IRS immediately, even if other government and law enforcement agencies know about the crime.
- Suspicious tax preparation practices, such as a paid tax preparer refusing to sign your return or altering your income figures.

Citizen reporting often plays a critical role in catching scammers and bringing them to justice. This new system makes the process of filing a report less confusing and much more convenient.

IRS Fraud Reporting Site: https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud

The IRS Offer in Compromise Program Helps People Settle Tax Debts

People who cannot pay their tax bills in full have options to resolve the situation. One of these options is the Offer in Compromise (OIC) program, which allows eligible people to settle their debts with the IRS for less than the full amount owed.

Anyone interested in submitting an OIC proposal should begin by checking whether they qualify for the program, which can be done using the IRS Pre-Qualifier tool online (link below). People who meet the basic eligibility requirements may then submit an OIC application. In most cases, the application must be accompanied by a $205 fee and an initial payment toward the tax debt. However, these requirements may be waived for lower-income applicants.

An OIC application must be carefully prepared and provide detailed information to the IRS. Beware of aggressive ads touting supposed opportunities to settle tax debts quickly for a small fraction of the amount due. The agencies behind those ads, known as OIC mills, charge high fees to churn out applications, most of which get rejected by the IRS. A trusted tax professional can help ensure that an OIC application is complete and accurate, and has a reasonable chance of acceptance.

OIC Pre-Qualifier Online Tool: https://irs.treasury.gov/oic_pre_qualifier/

Receiving Online Payments - Did You Know?

If you are self-employed and receive payments through online payment processing platforms, take care to separate business and personal transactions. You can do this by setting up separate business accounts on the platforms, or by using features that allow you to specify the purpose of payments. Otherwise, the platforms may overreport your income.

Updated Withholding Estimator Available for 2026

Having the right amount of tax withheld from your pay protects you against unpleasant spring surprises, while ensuring that you do not unnecessarily sacrifice take-home pay. The IRS recently made important updates to its Withholding Estimator tool (link below), to account for tax law changes enacted in 2025. Those changes include the "No Tax on Tips" and "No Tax on Overtime" deductions, the car loan interest deduction and special deduction for seniors, and the new deduction rules for charitable donations.

Verifying the accuracy of your withholding a couple of times a year is especially important if you and your spouse both work, or if you owed tax this spring, work multiple jobs, or have self-employment or investment income. It is also a good idea to complete a withholding checkup anytime you experience a major life change like marriage, or the birth or adoption of a child. Using the Withholding Estimator typically takes 25 minutes or less, and you do not have to log in or provide any personally identifying information. If an adjustment to your withholding is needed, the tool can help you complete a new W-4 form to submit to your employer.

IRS Withholding Estimator Tool: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

IRS Impersonation Scams – Did You Know?

Criminals continue to use IRS impersonation scams to steal money and personal information. Understanding how the IRS actually communicates can help you recognize and avoid these schemes.

The IRS generally initiates contact by sending a letter through the mail on official letterhead. If you have an IRS online account, you can log in to verify whether a notice is legitimate. If you are unsure, you can contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.

Scammers, however, often pose as the IRS in several ways:

By mail: Fake letters may look official but include incorrect contact details or suspicious language such as “in relation to your unclaimed refund.”

By email or text: The IRS does not initiate contact this way. Messages promising refunds, credits or urgent fixes often contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal your information.

By phone: Scammers may leave threatening messages or demand immediate payment using gift cards or other unusual methods—tactics the IRS does not use.

In person: Unannounced visits are extremely rare. Most legitimate IRS appointments are scheduled in advance by letter.

If you suspect a scam, do not respond, click links or share information. Instead, contact the IRS using an official phone number to verify the situation.

IRS Online Business Accounts Now Available to Partnerships & Tax-Exempt Entities

The IRS has expanded its Business Tax Account (BTA) service, which enables businesses to handle many federal tax matters online. Previously, only sole proprietors, S corporations and C corporations could use the BTA platform. Now, partnerships (including LLCs that file taxes as partnerships), along with many tax-exempt organizations, can benefit from the convenience of a BTA as well.

Tasks that can be readily completed through the BTA system include checking tax balances, making payments, viewing payment histories and downloading digital IRS notices. In addition, BTA users can access payroll and income tax return transcripts, seek help with compliance concerns, or verify the accuracy of a business name or address on file with the IRS.

Many government entities, including tribal governments, also qualify to use the expanded BTA service.

IRS Business Tax Account: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/business-tax-account

Avoiding Costly Tax Problems - Did You Know?

As the April 15 federal tax filing deadline approaches, some people may find themselves unable to pay the full amount of tax they owe. In that circumstance, it is important to pay as much as possible by the deadline, as doing so will help keep IRS penalties and interest charges to a minimum. For any remaining balance, many people may qualify to set up a monthly payment plan that fits within their budgets. Typically, interest fees will accumulate over the course of an installment plan, but the balance owed will not spiral upward, and penalties will not escalate as long as monthly payments are made on time.

During the weeks and months after they file, some people may receive an IRS notice in the mail. The notice may request payment, especially if an installment plan has not been established. In other cases, IRS letters ask for additional information like the basis for a deduction amount, or require action to correct a filing mistake like omitting a form. A tax professional can help you properly respond to an IRS notice if you receive one, or help you set up a manageable payment plan if you cannot pay your tax balance in full.

Tax Filing & Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments Deadline on April 15

The general filing and payment deadline for 2025 federal tax returns is Wednesday, April 15th, 2026. If you are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments, the first payments for the January 1 – March 31 quarter are also due on April 15th.

If you have already filed and haven't received your refund yet, you can check its status using the IRS “Where's My Refund?” tool at https://www.irs.gov/refunds. The tool is updated once daily, typically overnight, so checking more frequently will not provide new information. Refund status is usually available within 24 hours after the IRS receives an electronically filed return. For paper returns, processing times are longer, and returns are handled in the order they are received.

Unfiled 2022 Federal Tax Refunds Must Be Claimed by April 15 – Did You Know?

The IRS estimates that over one million people are owed tax refunds from 2022, with the majority of those refunds exceeding $600. However, in order to claim their refunds, people must file their 2022 tax returns by April 15, 2026. Some people may also need to file 2023 and 2024 returns in order to receive an IRS refund.

Those who qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in 2022 but did not file a return could be missing out on much larger refunds, potentially exceeding $6,000. The adjusted gross income limits for the 2022 EITC ranged from $16,480 to $53,057 (or $22,610 to $59,187 for joint filers), depending on a person's number of qualifying children.

Filing an accurate tax return for 2022 may require referring to income statements like W-2 and 1099 forms. If you cannot locate those forms but have an IRS online account, you can generally obtain the needed information by using the free IRS Get Income Transcript tool (link below). Most people can set up an account in about 20 minutes, less time than it takes to request and receive replacement documents from employers, banks, etc.

IRS Get Transcript Online tool: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript