IRS and Security Summit Launch Summer Series to Help Tax Pros Protect Clients from Identity Theft

Summary

On July 7, 2026, the IRS and Security Summit partners launched the "Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself" summer campaign (IR-2026-81), a five-week educational series running through mid-August. Each week covers a distinct security topic: fundamental cybersecurity practices, data encryption, multi-factor authentication, phishing recognition, and incident response planning for tax professionals. The Security Summit is a public-private partnership between the IRS, state tax agencies, and the tax software industry formed to combat tax-related identity theft. The initiative is timely given the rising frequency of data breaches targeting small and mid-sized accounting firms — which collectively hold the bulk of sensitive taxpayer data.

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Our Take

For cross-border tax practices, the stakes are particularly high. Client data encompasses not only US Social Security Numbers but also Canadian Social Insurance Numbers, bank account details for multiple currencies, and foreign asset reports (FBAR, FATCA Form 8938). A breach at a cross-border firm triggers disclosure obligations under both US state breach-notification laws and Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). We encourage all cross-border practitioners to treat this summer series as a free professional-development resource — and to use its weekly checklists to audit their own cybersecurity posture before the next tax season.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute tax advice; it should not substitute professional tax counsel. Please consult a licensed CPA for advice specific to your situation.