The IRS and its Security Summit partners have kicked off a summer awareness series built for one audience above all: tax professionals who handle sensitive client data every day. The goal is straightforward – help preparers shut down the identity theft schemes that increasingly target their offices and, through them, their clients.<\/p>\n
According to the IRS, the Security Summit series walks tax pros through practical steps to spot scams, lock down systems, and respond fast when something goes wrong. This IRS Security Summit effort brings together the agency, state tax authorities, and the private-sector tax industry under one banner.<\/p>\n
If you prepare returns for a living, the message is direct: criminals see your client files as a jackpot, and a single breach can expose Social Security numbers, bank details, and full financial histories.<\/p>\n
The Security Summit is a coalition first formed in 2015. It links the IRS, state departments of revenue, and the tax preparation industry, including software companies, payroll firms, and professional organizations. Working together, these groups share threat data and coordinate public warnings.<\/p>\n
The summer series exists because tax professionals are a prime target. When a criminal compromises one preparer, they can potentially file dozens or hundreds of fraudulent returns using real taxpayer information. That makes the preparer’s own security a frontline defense for every client on their books.<\/p>\n
The IRS points to several recurring tactics that criminals use against preparers and their firms:<\/p>\n
Because these attacks often arrive disguised as routine business, the IRS stresses that awareness and verification habits are just as important as technical defenses.<\/p>\n
The IRS and Security Summit recommend a layered approach rather than a single fix. Core steps the campaign highlights include:<\/p>\n
For example, if a preparer suddenly finds that several client returns bounce back as already filed, that pattern can signal a breach – and the IRS urges an immediate response rather than waiting to investigate.<\/p>\n
Speed matters when client data is exposed. The IRS advises preparers who suspect or confirm a breach to act quickly and report it. Recommended actions include:<\/p>\n
Reporting fast helps the IRS flag affected taxpayer accounts and block fraudulent returns before refunds go out the door.<\/p>\n
The full announcement and the detailed guidance sit on the IRS website. The campaign directs preparers to the agency’s dedicated pages on identity theft protection and its “Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself” resources.<\/p>\n