Sketchy Tax Advice on Social Media Is Getting People Audited—Don’t Be Next

By Laura Dohanes, CPA - August 7, 2025 

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.

sketchy tax advice on social media

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:

  • Deducting 100% of vehicle expenses without proper logs
  • Claiming meals or travel without a business justification
  • Relying on outdated COVID-era tax credits
  • Trusting unlicensed “tax strategists” with no formal oversight

The IRS doesn’t care where you got your information.
If it’s wrong, the penalties still land on you.

Sketchy Tax Advice on Social Media: What the IRS Wants You to Know—and How to Protect Yourself with Real Advice, Not Reels

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.

Read related content!

Laura Dohanes, CPA

Laura Dohanes, CPA

Founder, My CPA Pro, P.C.  ·  California CPA License #129889  ·  Verify

Laura has spent more than two decades in the small business world as a tax strategist and fractional CFO, helping owners across the United States pay less tax and build lasting wealth. Her practice spans advanced tax planning, entity structuring, accounting, and CFO-level financial strategy, and she has represented more than 3,000 clients in federal and state tax audits. She also teaches financial literacy to young people, on the conviction that understanding money early changes what someone believes is possible.

Schedule a strategy session →

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram