Sketchy tax advice on social media is everywhere—and the IRS is paying attention.
More business owners than ever are turning to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram for tax advice—and some of it is downright dangerous.
Here’s what’s actually being said online:
📱 “Write off your dog as a guard animal.”
📱 “Deduct your designer bag if you carry your laptop in it.”
📱 “Inflate your W-2 and claim a bigger refund—it’s a ‘loophole’.”
📱 “Anyone can claim the fuel tax credit—just check the box!”
These tips get views.
But they also get people in trouble, friends.
👇 Yes, this is real:
Someone actually said:
“Rich people write dogs off on their taxes… so can you!”
And tens of thousands of people watched it.

Now, you might be thinking: “I’d never fall for that.”
And you probably wouldn’t.
But here’s the thing…
Plenty of smart business owners have made innocent—but costly—mistakes by following generalized advice online, like:
The IRS doesn’t care where you got your information.
If it’s wrong, the penalties still land on you.
The IRS has issued warnings about unqualified tax advice circulating online. Here’s how to choose a legitimate tax professional.
If your wealth is growing, your tax strategy can’t come from reels, hacks, or hearsay.
There are plenty of legitimate ways to save money legally on your tax bill, without resorting to sketchy strategies.
👉 Book a call with a real team that understands the real tax code—and how to keep you safe while helping you scale.
P.S. The best CPAs know how to give clear advice without turning your return into a meme.