Tax season is stressful enough without worrying about whether the IRS might flag your return for extra scrutiny. But in 2026, the agency is using more advanced data‑matching tools, AI‑driven analytics, and expanded enforcement funding, all of which make accuracy more important than ever. Many taxpayers unknowingly make small errors that dramatically increase their audit risk, even when they believe they’re filing correctly. Here’s a look at seven filing mistakes that increase your audit risk this year.
