The 2026 tax season will begin soon. The Internal Revenue Service wants you to check to do certain things before filing the taxes so you file your return accurately and avoid delay in getting your refund.
From the tax year 2025, the electronic and on-paper filing process is expected to begin in the third week of January 2026. Note that the IRS will only accept your refund only if you have provided all details accurately.
As a taxpayer, you should know that any error in your 2026 return may delay your refund unexpectedly. It is good for you that you consider all the things that the IRS wants you to do before filing the taxes.
What are the five things that the IRS wants me to do?
The five things that the Internal Revenue Service wants you to do before filing for the taxes for the tax year 2025 are:
Gather all the required documents and personal information:
To file 2026 taxes, it is mandatory that you have the following:
- Your social security number, your wife’s social security number (if married filing jointly), and the dependents, if any.
- routing/bank account number: it is required to get a refund via direct deposit or pay the tax bill.
- Income documents, which include W-2s and 1099s for interest, dividends, self-employment, unemployment, etc.
- Record of the deductions/credits, if applicable, includes mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable contributions, education expenses, business expenses, etc.
If you have all these things ready, there is a very low chance that there will be any error on your return. Getting these things ready also reduces the chance of delay and filing for the amended tax return.
Verify your tax preparer if you are considering using one.
If you are going to hire someone to prepare your taxes for the upcoming tax season, it is necessary that you verify his or her credentials and understand what you are getting. The things you are needed to check are
- The preparer must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number.
- Ask how the preparer will be compensated. It is recommended to go with the one who will charge a percentage of your refund or the one who promises a large refund.
- Make it clear that the preparer will e-file your refund or you yourself will, and wherever you are going, get a copy of everything you submit. Go with the one who will e-file and provide you with all the required documents.
- And also ask about the preparer’s availability after e-filing if the Internal Revenue Service asks any questions.
Review and update your withholding and estimated tax payments.
If your life situation and income, such as job change, side business, investment income, self-employment, etc., during the tax year 2025 are changed, you need to verify that your tax withholding or quarterly payment is on track.
If you haven’t paid enough tax during the year, you may have to pay penalties at the time of filing. Make sure you avoid over-withholding, because it reduces your cash flow; it is recommended that you adjust it from time to time with changes in situation or income.
Keep your address and personal information current.
In case of any change in name, marital status, address, or other relevant information, it is recommended by the Internal Revenue Service to make changes with them and the Social Security Administration if the beneficiary is of SSI, retirement benefit, survivor benefit, or disability benefit.
It is mandatory to do so because if you file your taxes with old or outdated details, you have to wait a long time for their processing. Sometimes it even happens that the returns aren’t accepted by the IRS, and then the taxpayer needs to file an amended return.
Be alert for identity theft or tax scams and e-file early, if possible.
It is recommended by the IRS to file early so someone else doesn’t use a Social Security Number to file a return fraudulently. It is because if anyone else files a return using your SSN, then you have to verify your identity, it will also delay your refund, and you even have to deal with extra paperwork.
Disclaimer: This information covers steps recommended by the IRS before filing 2026 taxes. Always verify guidance through official IRS resources.
