The Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners have issued a warning to tax professionals to be on guard against phishing emails and other schemes aimed at stealing sensitive taxpayer data, according to an official IRS announcement.
IRS and Security Summit Issue New Cybersecurity Warning
The warning is part of the second installment of the five-part “Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself” summer series, an annual initiative organized by the Security Summit. The Security Summit is a public-private partnership that has included tax professionals, industry partners, state tax agencies, and the IRS since 2015, working collectively to protect the tax system and taxpayers from identity theft and fraud.
According to the announcement, phishing and related scams are among the most common threats currently facing tax professionals. The IRS identified several specific variants of these attacks, including phishing, spear phishing, clone phishing, and whaling — all of which are designed to trick recipients into surrendering sensitive information or access to client data.
IRS Tax Forums Will Highlight Data Security
The security guidance highlighted in this series will also be a central focus of the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums taking place this summer. These forums are described as three-day continuing education events for tax professionals. Remaining forum dates listed in the announcement include August 18–20 in New York City, September 1–3 in Orlando, and September 15–17 in San Diego. The IRS noted that registration deadlines for the remaining forums are approaching and that most forums sell out before those deadlines.
Where Tax Professionals Can Learn More
For people who rely on tax professionals to file returns or manage benefits-related tax matters — including those receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit or navigating other assistance programs — this warning is a reminder that the professionals handling their data face active cybersecurity threats. A compromised tax preparer’s system can expose client Social Security numbers, financial records, and other personal information to identity thieves.
Readers who have concerns about their specific tax situation, the security practices of their tax preparer, or whether their information may have been compromised should contact the IRS directly or visit IRS.gov to verify details applicable to their circumstances.
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