IRS Launches Centralized Fraud Reporting Hub

Sharon Kreider, CPA & Mark Seid, EA, CPA, USTCP

Has a client come to you with information about a tax cheat, a suspected scam, or a phishing contact claiming to be the IRS? There is now a single place to send them. On February 26, 2026, the IRS launched a centralized fraud reporting hub at IRS.gov/SubmitATip that consolidates what were previously multiple scattered reporting options into one straightforward page. As a preparer, knowing this resource exists, and knowing which category fits your client’s situation, puts you in a better position to guide them quickly and correctly.

The hub is accessible at IRS.gov/SubmitATip or through a “Report Fraud” section on the IRS.gov homepage. It works on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and submissions can be made anonymously. The Report Fraud page uses clear prompts to route each tip to the appropriate IRS office. The IRS has described the launch as an initial improvement, with longer-term plans to reduce forms, automate processes, and implement modern case management software.

What the Hub Covers

The IRS organized the hub around four categories – each routed to the appropriate part of the agency:

Tax Fraud or Scam — covers tax evasion, schemes, law violations, money laundering, and whistleblower claims. Taxpayers can submit tips with or without identifying themselves, and those who qualify may be eligible for a monetary award through the IRS Whistleblower Office.
Fake IRS Email or Message — for reporting phishing emails, fraudulent text messages, impersonation phone calls, fake social media accounts, and counterfeit IRS letters.
Identity Theft — for reporting stolen Social Security numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), or Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) that affect either an individual or a business.
Tax Return Preparer Misconduct — allows taxpayers and tax professionals to report improper practices, including misuse or omission of a PTIN, refusal to provide a copy of the return, failure to sign returns, withholding client records, misuse of consumer tax software, or falsely claiming professional credentials.

Processing Times for Identity Theft Cases

The new hub does not change the procedural steps or timelines involved once a report is submitted. Taxpayers who file a Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) should be aware that processing times for Identity Theft Victim Assistance (IDTVA) cases remain lengthy. According to the National Taxpayer Advocate, the average IDTVA case processing time reached 676 days in fiscal year 2024. As of early fiscal year 2025, that average had declined to approximately 506 days. The IRS’s stated processing goal is 120 days.

IRS Staffing Context

The National Taxpayer Advocate’s FY 2026 Objectives Report to Congress, released in June 2025, noted that the IRS workforce declined from approximately 102,000 employees at the start of the 2025 filing season to fewer than 76,000 by June 2025, a reduction of about 26 percent. Taxpayer Services staffing specifically was reduced by more than 9,000 employees, or approximately 22 percent.

How to Submit a Report

The IRS encourages taxpayers to report suspected tax-related wrongdoing as soon as possible. Tips can be submitted at IRS.gov/SubmitATip or through the Report Fraud button on the IRS.gov homepage. Submissions can be made confidentially. Taxpayers with questions about how a specific report may affect their tax situation should consult a qualified tax professional.

Sources: IRS IR-2026-26 (Feb. 26, 2026); IRS.gov/SubmitATip; National Taxpayer Advocate FY 2026 Objectives Report to Congress (June 2025).