Get Ready for 2026 Tax Season: Set Up IRS Online, Gather Records

📅 Deadline Alert: For the 2026 tax filing season (filing 2025 federal returns), most individuals must file and pay by Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Missing the deadline can trigger failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties, plus interest.

January is when many immigrants and visa holders can prevent April problems. the irs calls this the Get Ready push. It is a yearly set of reminders to help taxpayers file accurate returns with fewer delays.

This matters more this season because 2025 law changes, including the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, may change which documents you need and what your software asks you. This guide focuses on practical steps.

You will set up account access, organize records, plan for law changes, choose direct deposit, and map deadlines. IRS references are included so you can verify rules on IRS.gov. Information is current as of January 11, 2026.

Get Ready for the 2026 tax filing season (for 2025 returns)

The IRS “Get Ready” campaign is about prevention. Early prep helps you avoid common problems that cause delays and extra scrutiny.

• Avoid math and reporting errors that trigger IRS letters
• Reduce refund delays caused by missing income forms
• Reduce identity issues by using IRS security tools
• Be ready for new or updated credits and deductions tied to 2025 changes

If you are an immigrant, your preparation also helps confirm whether you file as a nonresident alien, resident alien, or dual-status alien. That choice drives which forms you file.

See IRS Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens ( irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf ).

Set up and use your IRS Online Account

An IRS Online Account can remove friction during filing season. It can also speed problem-solving if your return gets held for review.

You can use it to:

• View tax records, including adjusted gross income (AGI) and transcripts
• View account history and payment activity
• Make and schedule payments
• Get or retrieve an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
• Manage IRS communication preferences and see many notices digitally
• Allow a tax professional to access records digitally, with authorization

This is especially helpful for immigrants who changed status mid-year. It can happen with an F-1 to H-1B switch, or a new green card. Your filing status and prior-year AGI can affect e-filing acceptance.

Create or sign in through IRS.gov. Start at irs.gov/individuals and follow the Online Account prompts. Keep your own records too. Some documents appear online, but not everything does.

Gather and organize your 2025 tax records

Disorganized records are a top cause of filing delays. The IRS often pauses returns when income reported on your return does not match Forms W-2 or 1099. Missing digital asset details also creates errors.

Most income is taxable. Commonly missed items include:

• Unemployment compensation
• Refund interest from a prior-year refund
• Gig economy income and platform payouts
• Digital asset transactions, including trades and sales

Immigrants should also keep documents that support residency and treaty positions. Days in the U.S. and visa type can change your tax status under the Substantial Presence Test. Publication 519 explains the rules.

For international reporting, remember two separate regimes. FBAR (FinCEN 114) is not an IRS form, but many tax residents must file it. The filing trigger is $10,000 aggregate in foreign accounts at any time during the year.

FATCA reporting can also apply on Form 8938. See IRS international guidance at irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers.

Review 2025 tax law changes: One, Big, Beautiful Bill

For 2025 returns filed in 2026, the IRS says the One, Big, Beautiful Bill brought changes that can affect deductions and credits. Keep the focus on documentation.

The IRS has highlighted new or expanded items such as:

• Deductions or exclusions related to tips
• Deductions or exclusions related to overtime
• A deduction connected to car loan interest
• A temporary deduction for seniors

These items may flow through a new Schedule 1-A. Expect your software to ask new questions. Expect requests for proof if you claim new items.

If you work in tipped industries, keep tip records. If you work overtime, keep pay statements. If you claim car loan interest, keep lender statements and loan documents.

If you are supporting an older family member, keep age and eligibility records that your preparer requests.

Direct deposit means fewer paper checks

Direct deposit is the safest refund delivery method. It also reduces lost-check risk. The IRS continues to encourage it, and many taxpayers are seeing fewer paper checks.

You need accurate:

• Routing number
• Account number
• Account type (checking or savings)

Mistyped numbers can delay your refund. If you changed banks, confirm the new details before filing. If you use a joint account, confirm the bank accepts deposits in your name.

Use IRS “Get Ready” resources to avoid bad advice

Tax season attracts scams and incorrect social media “tax hacks.” The IRS Get Ready materials collect updates, filing options, and reminders in one place.

Use official IRS tools to find free or lower-cost help:

• IRS Free File
• VITA and TCE community programs

Start with irs.gov/forms-pubs for official forms and instructions. Use irs.gov/newsroom for IRS announcements.

2026 filing season timeline and deadlines (for 2025 returns)

The exact calendar dates are listed in the timeline tool. The structure matters for planning: there are key January start dates for Free File and IRS processing, followed by the mid-April deadline.

Key events you should plan around include the Free File opening in January, the start of IRS e-file processing in late January, and the main filing and payment deadline on April 15, 2026. Use the interactive timeline to see exact dates and tooltips.

Important deadline notes: an extension to file is available by submitting Form 4868 (which extends filing to October 15, 2026), but an extension to file does not extend time to pay taxes owed.

Deadline summary (high-level)

• IRS Free File opens: Eligible taxpayers (January 2026 start date — see timeline)
• IRS begins processing e-filed returns: Most individual filers (late January 2026 start date — see timeline)
• File Form 1040 / 1040-NR and pay tax due: Most individual filers — April 15, 2026. Extension to file available via Form 4868 to October 15, 2026.
• FBAR (FinCEN 114): Certain taxpayers with foreign accounts — April 15, 2026 with automatic extension to October 15, 2026.

Disaster relief can change deadlines for certain areas. Check IRS announcements at irs.gov/newsroom.

Withholding and estimated tax planning

If 2025 law changes affect your deductions, your withholding may be off. If your income changed, your withholding may be off.

Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator on IRS.gov when you have pay stubs and prior-year return details. Consider updating Form W-4 if you had changes such as:

• A job change or a second job
• New gig work or self-employment income
• Large deduction or credit changes tied to 2025 rules

If you are self-employed or have investment income, plan for estimated taxes. Set aside cash as income comes in. Keep records throughout the year to support the numbers you report.

Action steps to take this week

1. Create or sign in to your IRS Online Account and retrieve prior-year AGI.
2. Start a 2025 tax folder for W-2s, 1099s, bank records, and digital asset statements.
3. Track documents that support new items under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, including Schedule 1-A prompts.
4. Confirm direct deposit details, especially after a bank change.
5. Put the April deadline on your calendar. File Form 4868 if you need more time, and plan to pay by April 15.