With the start of tax filing season for 2026 on the horizon, the Internal Revenue Service is pushing taxpayers to start their preparations in advance.
The IRS released a guide with several steps the agency recommends people take ahead of the start of filing, which usually opens at the end of January.
Here’s a look at their advice:
Access your IRS Individual Online Account
The IRS said “one of the most important steps taxpayers can take” is logging into their IRS Individual Online account ahead of the start of tax season. The online accounts are available all hours of the day and allow users to see their account information, make payments and protect their tax information.
Being able to log into the account is an essential step to filing online.
Use direct deposit
The IRS is phasing out paper tax refund checks due to President Trump’s executive order concerning modernizing payments. Taxpayers who do not have a bank account should open one so they can receive refunds by direct deposit, the IRS urged.
Review new 2025 tax law changes
Provisions in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill and other recent legislation include several changes that may reduce tax bills or increase refunds, the IRS said.
To be eligible to claim certain credits for other dependents on 2025 filings, the taxpayer and their spouse must have valid Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayers Identification Numbers issued on or before the due date of their returns if filing jointly, according to the IRS.
New “Trump Accounts” for eligible children
“Trump Accounts” are a new retirement savings avenue for anyone under 18 years old with a valid social security number. Parents, guardians and other authorized individuals can open the accounts.
A pilot program contribution of $1,000 will be available for children who are citizens and born between the start of 2025 and end of 2028. Additional information is available here.
Digital assets reporting requirements
Anyone who bought, sold or received digital assets — meaning cryptocurrency, stablecoins or NFT — must report those transactions when filing by answering the digital asset question on Form 1040 and providing any related income, gains, or losses. Additional information is available here.
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