This is one of the ‘most important steps’ before tax season opens, IRS says
As the 2026 tax season approaches, commencing on January 26, the IRS emphasizes the importance of accessing online accounts to streamline filing. Despite recent staffing cuts impacting key IRS functions, the agency is prepared to manage an estimated 164 million individual returns for 2025. These reductions, caused by government efficiency measures, have not yet affected the upcoming filing season but could hinder processing and customer service in 2026. Taxpayers are encouraged to utilize the online portal for various services, although initial setup can be complex due to identity verification requirements. Looking ahead, efficient processing is critical for a smooth tax season amid ongoing challenges.
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The IRS will begin accepting individual tax returns for the 2025 tax year on January 26, 2026, with the filing deadline set for April 15, 2026, for most taxpayers.
Staffing reductions, amounting to 17% to 19% in key IRS functions, stemmed from measures taken under the Department of Government Efficiency but did not significantly affect the 2025 filing season due to exemptions for critical roles.
Frank Bisignano, the IRS CEO, assured that systems have been updated to handle new tax laws effectively, despite the challenges posed by workforce reductions.
Taxpayers can access their IRS online accounts to view tax records, refund statuses, and make payments; however, setting up an account can be cumbersome due to ID verification through ID.me, which requires personal identification and a selfie.
Experts suggest that while there may be initial difficulties in setting up an online account, the long-term benefits include easier management of tax obligations and quicker access to key documents.