As tax season looms closer, many Australians are busy gathering receipts and preparing to lodge their returns.

While everyone's preparing to file their taxes rightfully, another group of people are gearing up to wreak havoc at the end of the financial year.


The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has warned Aussies to brace themselves for a 'deluge' of tax scam emails and text messages in the coming weeks.

According to the ATO, there has been a 300 per cent increase in impersonation scam emails compared to last year's tax season.

It's no coincidence, as scammers know that tax time is when you're expecting to hear from the ATO, hence making their fake messages more convincing.


CPA Australia's tax lead, Jenny Wong, warned that the next few weeks are prime time for scammers to strike.

'Scammers take advantage of any situation, and at tax time, that means targeting unsuspecting individuals through unsolicited messages claiming to be the ATO or another reputable organisation,' Wong explained.

'These "phishing" scams not only look legitimate but they're designed to catch you off-guard.'

'That's why you'll often see them arrive first thing in the morning when you might be less alert and more likely to have a momentary lapse in judgement,' Wong added.


These scammers' tactics constantly evolve along with the times.

Scammers send emails or texts that look like they're from the ATO, with subject lines that emphasise urgency.

The messages claim that taxpayers could receive a significant refund or that they need to update their information as soon as possible to avoid penalties.

The messages also often include a link, supposedly to myGov, so that recipients can view 'official government correspondence'.

However, the ATO clarified that they never use links in text messages.

If you receive a text with a link, it's almost certainly a scam.

The goal is to trick you into handing over personal information, which can be used to steal your identity or commit fraud in your name.


According to Scamwatch, Australians have already lost $119 million to scams within the first four months of 2025.

While the total number of scam reports dropped to 72,230, the amount lost to phishing scams nearly tripled compared to early 2024.

It's a stark reminder that scammers are getting better at what they do, and anyone could fall victim, especially when distracted by the end-of-financial-year rush.

So, how can you protect yourself? Here are some red flags to watch for:

• Unsolicited messages: If you weren't expecting to hear from the ATO, be suspicious.
• Urgency or threats: Scammers often try to create panic, saying you'll be penalised if you don't act immediately.
• Too-good-to-be-true refunds: Be wary of messages claiming you're owed a large refund.
• Links in texts or emails: The ATO will never send you a link in an unsolicited SMS.
• Requests for personal information: Never provide your tax file number, bank details, or passwords in response to an email or text.

If you receive a suspicious message, don't click any links or provide any information.

Instead, contact the ATO directly using their official contact details on their website.

You can also report scams to Scamwatch to help protect other Aussies.

The ATO never asks for personal information via email or text and would not threaten anyone with any legal action or arrest.

Staying safe during tax time

• Double-check sender details: Scammers often use email addresses or phone numbers that look similar to official ones, but there will usually be subtle differences.
• Access myGov directly: Always log in to your myGov account by typing the address into your browser, not by clicking a link in a message.
• Keep your software updated: Make sure your devices have the latest security updates to help protect against malware.
• Talk to family and friends: Scammers often target older Australians, so have a chat with your loved ones about what to look out for.

Have you received a suspicious message claiming to be from the ATO? Did you nearly fall for it, or do you have a tip for spotting a fake advisory? Share your experiences in the comments below. Stay safe, stay alert, and let's look out for each other as tax time approaches.