IRS Forms Coalition to Combat Tax Scams

The IRS has launched the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST) to combat a rise in tax scams that have exploited vulnerable taxpayers and resulted in significant revenue losses. Led by IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, the coalition includes federal and state tax agencies, 60 private sector organizations, and national tax professional associations. CASST aims to enhance outreach and education on emerging scams, develop strategies for identifying fraudulent returns at filing, and improve infrastructure for taxpayer protection. The initiative responds to an uptick in scams reported during the last tax season, particularly targeting credits like the Fuel Tax Credit and Sick and Family Leave Credit. By fostering collaboration and faster information sharing, CASST seeks to mitigate the risks posed by fraudsters leveraging social media and other platforms. This effort builds on the IRS's previous Security Summit initiatives aimed at addressing identity theft and scams.