Tim Phillips Show, 3/20/26
6:10
Tax scams tend to spike this time of year, as people are getting ready to file their taxes and scammers know we’re expecting communication from the Internal Revenue Service about refunds, payments, and account updates. Eric Bronnenkant, head of tax at Edelman Financial Engines, explains that fraudsters take advantage of that and hope “to catch people off guard and stressed.”
With the April 15th tax deadline less than a month away, the IRS is warning taxpayers about the top ways swindlers are trying to rip us off with their “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2026. These are the top ones to watch for this year:
IRS impersonation by email and text - These emails, texts and messages look like they’re from the IRS, often with QR codes or links to fake IRS websites that direct people to “verify” accounts with personal information.
AI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone - Robocalls and spoofed caller IDs that look legit are common, but the IRS points out they generally contact people by mail first and don’t leave urgent or threatening messages or demand immediate payments.
Fake charities - Fraudsters often exploit tragedies and disasters by creating fake charities to bring in money and personal info, but you can’t claim a deduction on your tax return for a donation to a fake one.
Misleading social media advice - Don’t believe all the “tax hacks” you see in your feed. The IRS reported more than 600 social media impersonators in 2025 alone.
Identity theft with IRS online account - Scammers may try to get access to someone’s IRS account online using stolen info and data.
Abuse of undistributed long-term capital gains claims - The IRS has seen an increase in abuse of Form 2439, which “allows shareholders of certain investment funds of real estate trusts to claim a refundable credit for taxes paid on undistributed capital gains.”
Misleading “self-employment tax credit” promotions - Fraudsters are using bogus claims about a broad “self-employment tax credit” to encourage incorrect tax filings, leading to improper refunds.
“Ghost preparers” - They prepare tax returns, but refuse to sign them or provide a Preparer Tax Identification Number, and that’s a huge red flag since preparers are legally responsible for what’s filed.
Rounding out the Dirty Dozen are: Non-cash charitable contribution scams, Overstated withholding schemes, Spear-phishing and malware campaigns, and “Offer in Compromise mills.”
Source: NY Post
6:30
Friday Flashback - ESCAPADE - JANET JACKSON, 1990
BLACK VELVET, ROAM, LOVE WILL LEAD YOU BACK
Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa and becomes the leader of the ANC.
Tim Berners-Lee publishes a formal proposal for the World Wide Web.
East and West Germany are reunited after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Margaret Thatcher resigned from her position as Prime Minister in the United Kingdom.
One of the most complete T. Rex fossils is found in South Dakota, and it is named "Sue" after the paleontologist who discovered it.
Atari Lynx Portable Color Entertainment System - Price: $169.99
New Kids On The Block Play Figures - Price: $19.99 each
The Sci/Fi Channel on Cable TV starts transmitting
Twin Peaks premieres on ABC
The Milli Vanilli duo's producer reveals that the Grammy-winning pop duo were lip-syncing in the songs on the album which gained them the award
Popular Films
Home Alone
Ghost
Dances with Wolves
Pretty Woman
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Hunt for Red October
Total Recall
Die Hard 2
Dick Tracy
Edward Scissorhands
7:15
Looking for a little travel inspiration before planning your next getaway? “Time” magazine has some suggestions. Their list of the World’s Greatest Places has just come out for 2026.
Every year, the publication’s international network of contributors and correspondents nominates their picks for hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more.
Those are narrowed down to 100 extraordinary destinations, 50 places to stay, and 50 places to visit this year.
The list includes the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which was just completed in October, and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in Australia, which earned UNESCO World Heritage status last year and features rock carvings that are 50-thousand years old.
Kaway’an EcoPark in the Philippines, a family-friendly farm and learning center built almost entirely from bamboo, also makes the list.
The World’s Greatest Places of 2026 also features many here in the U.S., including:
Moonpass Lookouts - Wallace, Idaho (off-the-grid fire lookout tower vacation rentals)
Netflix House - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Highway 1 - California
The Reefline - Miami Beach, Florida (an underwater sculpture park and snorkel trail)
Hotel del Coronado - Coronado, California
Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Indianapolis, Indiana
Counterculture Museum - San Francisco, California
Universal Epic Universe - Orlando, Florida
Studio Museum in Harlem - New York
Deer Valley Resort - Park City, Utah
Source: Time
7:30
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