With tax filing season upon us, we urge you to be mindful of potential scams as you prepare to file your 2022 tax returns.

The IRS produces a list of "dirty dozen" tax scams, and while these scams can occur year-round, they tend to increase during this time of the year.

It’s wise to stay on top of the latest list of common scams and take some simple steps to stay safe from them.

A good way to protect yourself is to do additional research on anything that seems suspicious, do not click on an email or a link to an unfamiliar website, and never give out any personal information—especially your Social Security Number—to someone claiming to represent the IRS over the phone or online.

When in doubt, you can visit IRS.gov for additional guidance.

We know filing taxes can sometimes be a stressful process, and avoiding tax scams can prevent an even larger headache.

In addition, the IRS provides free tax filing assistance to taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $73,000 or less. The deadline to file this year is April 18.