Tax scams are evolving from unemployment fraud to viral tax hacks. Learn the IRS warnings for 2026 and how to protect your return.

(NEXSTAR) – The Internal Revenue Service recently announced it is contacting millions of people who are still owed stimulus payments, earned income tax credits, child tax credits or other benefits.

Learn how to spot and avoid scams including fake refunds, IRS impersonators and AI voice fraud targeting filers this season.

When it comes to those $2,000 stimulus checks, Trump said in February that he is "looking at it very seriously." ...

Claims about new stimulus checks, IRS direct deposits, relief payments and tariff dividends circulated widely throughout 2025 ...

Zero new $1,390 stimulus check is approved for February 2026. The Internal Revenue Service confirms no new federal stimulus payment exists. Congress has not authorized any $1,390 IRS direct deposit.

The IRS this week warned people to be aware of scams tied to federal stimulus checks after the agency’s Criminal Investigation unit received a record number of reports in June and July. In particular, ...

Claims about new stimulus checks, IRS direct deposits, relief payments and tariff dividends spread throughout 2025 — and they’re still circulating in 2026. But is there any truth to them?

No new federal stimulus checks are approved for January 2026. Trump’s proposed $2,000 tariff dividend has no finalized plan. Viral "stimulus" claims mostly stem from scams or state‑level programs.

The last round of federal economic‑impact payments went out in 2021, and any new checks would require Congress to pass fresh legislation. In 2024, the IRS sent automatic payments to eligible taxpayers ...