Owners of successful small businesses have to deal with a lot of challenges. Tax scams are a major threat. The latest schemes are again a focus during National Small Business Week 2026.
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While small businesses might open to customers during usual hours, the owners of the United States’ more than 36.2 million locally owned operations put in much longer hours.
So, it’s only fitting that the Small Business Administration’s 2026 National Small Business Week (NSBW) kicked off Sunday, May 3, evening with an awards ceremony. At the Washington, D.C., event, owners of small businesses from across the country were lauded.
During the remainder of NBSW, which runs through May 9, the SBA and other agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, will focus on topics that are crucial to the success of the independent companies.
Small business tax tips from the IRS: IRS’ support of small businesses is obvious. These companies, which the SBA officially defines as those with fewer than 500 employees, not only pay taxes, but they represent 38.7 percent of private sector payroll, or around $3.5 trillion.
This year, the IRS is highlighting tools and resources to help small business owners, whether they are employers or solo self-employed entrepreneurs, when it comes to tax obligations.
The IRS’ special Small Business Week page focuses on seven areas, one for each of NSBW’s seven days.
Tax scams targeting small businesses: It’s also no surprise that the IRS started this year’s small businesses list with information about business tax scams. Again.
Criminal schemes that use tax matters to lure small businesses owners continue to grow. The financial costs of falling for these scams can be threaten small firms already operating on slim margins.
The IRS warns small businesses (and actually all of us) to be aware of common scams targeting business owners. Some of them are part of the IRS’ 2026 Dirty Dozen list. They include —
- Artificial intelligence (AI) enabled IRS impersonation by phone;
- New client scams and spear phishing;
- Bad tax advice on social media; and
- Bogus “Self-Employment Tax Credit” promotion.
You can read more about business tax scams and ways to protect your company in the drop-down section Avoid the Scam at the agency’s Small Business Week web page.
As a preview, the six other IRS featured tax topics for NSBW 2026 are —
- Best practices for small businesses and tax professionals who supporting small businesses;
- Tips for tax pros (some of whom are small businesses themselves) who support small businesses;
- Smart planning for small business success;
- Transformation and improvements through new tools and technology;
- Preparing for disasters with preparation and recovery plans; and
- Additional tax resources for small businesses.
FTC scam help: This NSBW the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also is highlighting some ways owners can protect their small businesses from scams and online threats. The FTC features include the following free webinars.
- Building Your Small Business Cybersecurity Team: From In-House to Outsourcing on Tuesday, May 5, 2pm ET
- Small Business, Big Target: How to Avoid Small Business Scams on Wednesday, May 6, 2pm ET
- Librarians: Helping Small Business Patrons Avoid Scams on Thursday, May 7, 1pm ET
Full SBA NSBW schedule: After the more celebratory event to open National Small Business Week 2026, it’s down to, well, business. The SBA has a full schedule of events, both virtual and in-person through a nationwide tour to Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
The annual Virtual Summit is always a highlight. This year, the free two-day online event will be Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6. The event, co-sponsored by America’s Small Business Development Center (ASBDC), features educational workshops, access to federal resources, and networking and mentorship opportunities.
Summit topics include risk and fraud protection techniques; access to capital and other financial matters; various AI topics and tips; advice on starting a business; growth strategies; and hiring secrets.
Check out the full Virtual Summit agenda. If you find topics germane to your business, register to attend.
You also might find these items of interest:
- Being the boss tax basics
- IRS has updated its online EIN application tool
- Self-employment tax considerations for this Labor Day
- Business mileage tax deduction rate goes up in 2026, but two others are cut
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