Issue Number:  2026-31

Inside This Issue

1. Watch out for phishing emails and other attacks

2. Limited availability for remaining IRS Nationwide Tax Forum cities

3. Whistleblowers have helped IRS recover $8 billion since 2007

4. Did you know? Tracking charitable donations

1.  Watch out for phishing emails and other attacks

The IRS and Security Summit partners warned tax professionals to watch for phishing emails and other schemes designed to steal sensitive taxpayer data.

This is the second in the five-part Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself summer series, organized annually by the Security Summit, which includes tax professionals, industry partners, state tax agencies, and the IRS.

Phishing and related scams are designed to trick tax professionals into disclosing personal information such as passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.

The recent IRS news release describes the various types of phishing scams, warning signs, tips to protect against scams, and how tax professionals who are victims of phishing scams should contact IRS Stakeholder Liaison and others.

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2.  Limited availability for remaining IRS Nationwide Tax Forum cities

With this week’s IRS Nationwide Tax Forum wrapping up in New Orleans, tax professionals interested in participating in the remaining Forums should register as quickly as possible.

Registration is still available for the Orlando Tax Forum the week of Aug. 31 and San Diego the week of Sep. 14, but spots are filling quickly.

Tax professionals can register at IRSTaxForum.com.

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3.  Whistleblowers have helped IRS recover $8 billion since 2007

Whistleblowers play an important role in exposing fraud, reducing the tax gap, and strengthening compliance. Since the IRS whistleblower program’s inception in 2007, whistleblower information has contributed to significant enforcement outcomes with more than $8 billion recovered and over $1.4 billion paid in awards.

The IRS Whistleblower Office provides a secure and easy process for tax professionals and others to report tax violations. In some cases, individuals receive a monetary award for information that leads to the collection of taxes, penalties, or other amounts.

Over the past year, the IRS has enhanced its digital tools to make it easier to submit a whistleblower claim, increased awareness of emerging schemes, and continued to strengthen collaboration with whistleblower program stakeholders. Among other efforts, the IRS launched IRS.gov/submitatip which provides step-by-step guidance to report fraud and scams.

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4.  Did you know? Tracking charitable donations

Tax professionals can make all four estimated tax payments for their individual clients at once in Tax Pro Account. Their clients can do the same through their individual online accounts.

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