Beach Business Service Inc.

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.

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.

2026 Tax-Related Scam Warnings – Did You Know? (1/2)

The IRS recently posted its official list of the worst tax-related scams to watch out for in 2026. They include:

IRS Impersonation and Online Account Identity Theft:

Scammers claiming to represent the IRS often contact people by phone, email or other messaging apps. They may demand immediate payment of supposed tax debts, threaten imminent arrest, or give instructions to scan QR codes or click links leading to impostor websites that harvest personal data. Other identity thieves steal sensitive data by pretending to help people set up online IRS accounts. The use of AI has made some of these calls and messages more convincing, but the IRS simply does not operate in these ways.

Social Media Misinformation on Tax Matters:

Videos and posts promoting "tax hacks" abound across social media platforms. These supposed money-saving strategies often involve reporting inaccurate information to the IRS, at the risk of facing harsh tax penalties or even criminal charges. Stay safe by seeking tax advice only from reputable sources, like a trusted tax professional.

Fake Charities:

Fraudsters create fake charities to steal people's money, identities or both. With the recent creation of a new non-itemized deduction for charitable donations starting in 2026, these scams have become more common. Before donating to any organization, request detailed information about its mission, location and tax-exempt status. If you have any doubts, search the IRS database of registered charities (link below) to verify that the organization is legitimate. Search carefully, since many fake charities use names very similar to those of legitimate organizations.

IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/search-for-tax-exempt-organizations