Get Ready for the 2026 Tax Filing Season

The 2026 tax filing season officially opens Monday, January 26, 2026. This is the first day taxpayers can begin filing their 2025 federal tax returns.

Preparing early can help reduce stress, avoid delays, and ensure you don’t miss credits or deductions you may be eligible for. Here are several important steps to take now.

1. Set Up or Review Your IRS Online Account

Creating or accessing your IRS Individual Online Account can make managing your taxes much easier. These accounts are available 24/7 and allow you to:

• View tax account information

• Make payments

• Manage communication preferences

• Help protect your tax data

If you haven’t checked your account recently, now is a good time to make sure everything is up to date with the Internal Revenue Service.

2. Gather and Organize Your Tax Documents

Having organized records helps ensure your tax return is complete and accurate. Common documents to gather include:

• Form W-2 from employers

• Forms 1099 for income such as unemployment, dividends, pensions, annuities, or retirement distributions

• Form 1099-K, 1099-MISC, or W-2 if you worked in the gig economy

• Form 1099-INT if you earned interest

• Records of other income and digital asset transactions

Starting early makes filing smoother and helps prevent missing income or deductions.

3. Be Aware of New 2025 Tax Law Changes

Recent tax law updates may impact your return. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill introduced several new deductions and credits that could reduce tax liability or increase refunds.

Beginning in 2025, taxpayers claiming certain credits for other dependents must ensure that both the taxpayer and spouse (if filing jointly) have valid Social Security numbers or ITINs issued on or before the return’s due date (including extensions).

4. Understand Income Reporting Requirements

Income from part-time work, gig activities, or selling goods and services is generally taxable.

• Form 1099-K may be issued by payment card companies for any amount

• Payment apps and online marketplaces (also called third-party settlement organizations) issue Form 1099-K when payments exceed $20,000 and more than 200 transactions in a year

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Digital Assets

If you bought, sold, or received digital assets such as cryptocurrency, stablecoins, or NFTs, you may be required to report those transactions.

Some taxpayers may receive Form 1099-DA from brokers. Even if you do not receive this form, all taxpayers must answer the digital asset question on Form 1040 and report any related income, gains, or losses.

5. Check Your ITIN Status

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) only needs to be renewed if it has expired and is required for your federal tax return.

If your ITIN was not included on a U.S. federal tax return for 2022, 2023, and 2024, it expired on December 31, 2025, and will need to be renewed before filing.

6. Consider Direct Deposit for Refunds

The IRS is phasing out paper refund checks as part of an effort to modernize payments. Taxpayers are encouraged to use direct deposit to receive refunds faster and more securely.

If you do not currently have a bank account, opening one may help prevent refund delays.

Final Thoughts

Taking time now to prepare can make tax season significantly easier. If you’re unsure how these changes apply to your situation or want help getting organized, working with a tax preparer early can save time and stress later.