The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded taxpayers that the 2026 filing season is rapidly approaching. The IRS encourages taxpayers to take steps to ensure they can file promptly and accurately for the upcoming season.

The IRS maintains the IRS.gov/GetReady webpage with helpful information. The webpage has many practical tips and resources for taxpayers. Preparing for the filing season can be simplified into two main steps.

1. Gather and Organize –– Taxpayers should gather all their tax documents. The most common documents are IRS Form W-2, Form 1099, records of digital asset transactions and other information forms. There may be specific paperwork to support your income tax deductions, education credits or mortgage payments. You will need the adjusted gross income (AGI) from your prior year’s tax return if you want to file electronically. Taxpayers must wait until all forms are received to file an accurate tax return.
2. IRS Online Account –– You may create an IRS Online Account and enjoy multiple benefits. With the Online Account, you can review your most recent tax return and AGI. You can obtain an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) or sign a power of attorney for your tax preparer. The Online Account allows you to authorize a tax professional to access your tax records electronically. You can review and cancel payments and set up a payment plan.

Setting up direct deposit remains the quickest option for receiving a tax refund. Per an executive order, the IRS has started to phase out paper checks for tax refunds. Taxpayers without a bank account may want to explore opening an account or looking into alternative methods to receive a direct deposit.

You should gather your tax information and have an organized system for maintaining your records. The required forms are generally issued by the end of January and would be expected to be received by early February.

Older adults and military members also may benefit from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.