Bad advice travels fast—especially online. In the second article of our IRS Dirty Dozen series, we break down how viral tax myths can land you in real trouble.
Welcome back to our journey through the IRS’s 2025 Dirty Dozen—a list highlighting the top tax scams to watch out for this year. In our first installment, we discussed email phishing scams. Now, let’s delve into the second item on the list: Bad Social Media Tax Advice.
When TikTok Tax Tips Go Terribly Wrong
We’ve all been there: scrolling through social media and stumbling upon a post that promises to unlock “secret IRS loopholes” or turn your pet poodle into a tax deduction. It might sound clever, even convincing—until the IRS comes knocking.
Bad tax advice is nothing new, but thanks to the speed and reach of social media, misinformation now travels faster than ever.
The IRS is especially concerned about viral content that encourages people to:
- Falsely inflate deductions
- Claim fictitious credits
- Misuse legitimate tax strategies(like the fuel tax credit or Form 8944)
If it fits in a TikTok, it probably doesn’t fit in the tax code
That’s not official IRS guidance—but maybe it should be. This year’s Dirty Dozen warns taxpayers to be extra cautious when taking financial advice from influencers, online forums, or that one cousin who “knows a guy.”
Even when the advice is well-meaning, it can lead you straight into an audit—or worse.
Examples of bad social media tax advice:
- Claiming personal expenses (like home decor or a family vacation) as business write-offs just because someone online said it worked for them.
- Filing false W-2s to generate fake refunds. Yes, people really try this—and no, it doesn’t end well.
- Abusing the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) because a social media “expert” said every small business qualifies.
The IRS Has Seen These Tricks Before—and They’re Watching
According to the IRS, they’re actively ramping up enforcement around social-media-driven tax schemes. They’re also urging taxpayers to rely on trusted, credentialed professionals—not viral videos or threads filled with anonymous advice.
So, What Can You Do?
- Think twice before you file based on a post. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s legal.
- Check your sources. Look for advice from CPAs, Enrolled Agents, or licensed tax attorneys.
- When in doubt, go straight to the source: IRS.gov has the latest and most accurate information.
In Conclusion: Don’t Let Likes Lead You to Liens
Tax season is stressful enough without having to untangle a mess created by a 90-second video. Stick to the facts, ask a pro, and leave the risky “tax hacks” to the algorithm.
Stay tuned for the next post in our Dirty Dozen series, where we’ll unpack another scam to steer clear of this season.
More Information
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Benjamin Schweiss
Benjamin Schweiss is a Staff Accountant at Smith Patrick CPAs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia and is currently pursuing a master’s in accounting. Benjamin brings experience from his previous career in corporate marketing at PepsiCo North America and aims to make accounting approachable while providing exceptional service.
About Smith Patrick CPAs
Smith Patrick CPAs is a boutique, St. Louis-based, CPA firm dedicated to providing personal guidance on taxes, investment advice and financial service to forward-thinking businesses and financially active individuals. For over 30 years, our firm has focused on providing excellent service to business owners and high-net worth families across the country. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Wealth Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.
