With the announcement by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that the 2026 tax season officially begins on January 26, taxpayers are required to file and pay their federal income taxes for the year 2025 by April 15. One of the key highlights of this year’s tax season is the application of various new tax provisions under the “Greater and Better Act,” which may impact federal tax revenues, tax credits, and deductions.
First and foremost, the 2026 tax season involves reporting taxes for the year 2025 while also applying newly passed tax provisions.
According to the IRS, the “Greater and Better Act” was passed in July 2025, with several provisions applying to the 2025 tax year. Therefore, taxpayers filing their taxes in 2026 need to adhere to the new regulations when filling out their tax returns. The IRS has stated that its information systems have been updated to incorporate the new tax law content and are prepared to efficiently process tax returns during the tax season.
Secondly, new tax deductions will not be automatically applied and taxpayers must proactively claim them using the new Schedule 1-A.
The IRS has indicated that taxpayers will need to utilize the new Schedule 1-A to claim recently introduced tax deductions, including exemptions for tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and additional deductions for senior citizens. Taxpayers who qualify for these deductions but fail to use the correct form may miss out on the related exemptions, affecting the final refund amount.
Thirdly, making good use of the IRS’s official online resources can help ensure accurate tax filing and reduce tax liability.
The IRS offers various tools and explanations on its website to assist taxpayers in accessing information before, during, and after the tax filing process. IRS.gov/Help provides answers to common tax questions, IRS.gov/ITA (Interactive Tax Assistant) guides individuals in determining applicable tax rules based on their circumstances, IRS.gov/Forms centralizes the latest forms, instructions, and publications, including the new Schedule 1-A. Publication 17 systematically explains tax laws to help taxpayers ensure they pay the correct amount of taxes, neither more nor less.
Additionally, taxpayers can use the IRS Online Account to access their personal tax information, view tax liabilities or payments made, track refund status, and manage payment methods at any time. The IRS also encourages the use of Direct Deposit for faster receipt of tax refunds.
The IRS reminds taxpayers that the tax changes introduced by the “Greater and Better Act” involve various new deductions and exemptions. Failure to timely review official information may result in missing out on legitimate tax-saving opportunities. Understanding and accurately reporting taxes in advance are crucial keys to the 2026 tax season.