The IRS has issued three separate warnings about tax scams tied to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Scammers are targeting taxpayers who are unfamiliar with the new law’s provisions, and the schemes range from dishonest tax preparers inflating refunds to fake online calculators designed to steal personal information.

Here’s what you need to know about each type of scam and how to protect yourself and your business.

Dishonest Preparers Promising Inflated Refunds

The first warning (FS-2026-06, March 23) targets unethical tax preparers who use the OBBBA as bait. These preparers promise unusually large refunds by inventing benefits that don’t exist or by falsely claiming you qualify for credits and deductions that you don’t.

Red flags include preparers who charge fees as a percentage of your refund, who want to split the refund with you, or who refuse to sign the return or provide their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Some demand cash-only payment with no receipt. Others ask to route your refund deposit into their bank account instead of yours.

If a preparer claims they have “special access” or “priority shortcuts” to OBBBA provisions, walk away. No legitimate preparer has a fast lane to the IRS.

Six Scam Types the IRS Flagged

The second, more detailed warning (FS-2026-08, March 26) describes six specific scam patterns. All of them use the OBBBA’s new tax provisions as cover.

1. Ghost Preparers Exploiting New Credits. These preparers overstate your eligibility for deductions, file the return, then disappear. You’re left holding the bag when the IRS audits the return. The tell: they won’t sign the return or give you a PTIN.

2. Tips and Overtime Deduction Scams. The OBBBA created new reporting rules around tips and overtime. Dishonest preparers promise unusually large refunds tied to these deductions, charge high fees, and can’t explain how the amounts were calculated. Legitimate deduction amounts require documentation. If someone says documentation isn’t necessary, they’re lying.

3. Seniors Deduction “Enrollment” Scam. Fraudsters contact seniors by phone, text, email, or mail claiming they must “enroll” or “register” to receive the new seniors deduction. They ask for Social Security numbers, bank details, or IRS verification codes, and sometimes charge a processing fee. The IRS does not require enrollment for any deduction. If someone says you need to pay a fee to activate a tax benefit, it’s a scam.

4. Fake OBBBA Credit Outreach. Scammers send messages claiming you’ve been “pre-approved” for OBBBA refunds, OBBBA stimulus credits, or similar made-up benefits. They push for immediate action and ask for sensitive personal and financial data. The IRS does not pre-approve credits or contact taxpayers by text or social media to offer benefits.

5. “Refund Advance” and “Fast OBBBA Payout” Schemes. These scams promise to speed up your IRS refund for a fee, sometimes calling it a “processing fee” or “release fee.” No individual or business can accelerate the IRS refund timeline. Anyone who says otherwise is taking your money.

6. Social Media Tax Scams. Online influencers and viral posts claim “everyone qualifies” under the OBBBA, promote “OBBBA loopholes,” or guarantee specific refund amounts. These claims are false. Tax eligibility depends on your specific situation, and no honest professional guarantees a refund amount before reviewing your records.

Fake Online Calculators

The third warning (FS-2026-09) addresses fake tax deduction calculators that have appeared online. These sites mimic legitimate tools but exist to harvest your personal information. They promise a “guaranteed big payday” and ask for sensitive data.

The IRS advises checking the domain carefully. Legitimate IRS tools live on .gov domains. Watch out for spoofed URLs like “irsgov.com” or “irs-gov.org.” If a calculator guarantees a specific refund rather than providing an estimate, it’s a phishing attempt.

Report suspected scams to phishing@irs.gov, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), or the Federal Trade Commission.

What Business Owners Should Do

The OBBBA changed dozens of tax provisions affecting small businesses, from bonus depreciation and Section 179 limits to new deduction rules. That complexity is what scammers are counting on. The best defense is working with a qualified advisor who can explain exactly how the new law applies to your situation.

BCA advisors work with clients year-round to apply the OBBBA provisions correctly and identify real savings opportunities. If you’ve received suspicious communications about OBBBA benefits, or if you’re unsure whether your current preparer is handling the new provisions properly, contact BCA for a review.

Source: IRS Fact Sheets FS-2026-06 (March 23, 2026), FS-2026-08 (March 26, 2026), and FS-2026-09 (March 2026). Full details at IRS OBBBA Provisions.