IRS Urges Taxpayers to Begin Preparing Now for the 2026 Filing Season

The IRS has released a new reminder encouraging taxpayers to begin organizing financial records for the 2026 filing season. Although tax year 2025 returns will not be filed until early 2026, the agency is emphasizing that advance preparation can significantly reduce filing errors, processing delays, missed deductions, and inaccurate reporting. For tax professionals, CPAs, and business owners, early preparation is not only a best practice. It is a key strategy that protects clients from compliance risks while also improving workflow efficiency during the busiest months of the year.

This announcement reinforces a trend that has become increasingly clear in recent years. The IRS is pushing for cleaner documentation, earlier information gathering, and more consistent tax administration. With expanded digital systems and ongoing updates to credit eligibility rules, taxpayers who wait until the last minute face greater exposure to errors. For advisors, the message is simple. Early engagement with clients is mission critical.

What the IRS Announced

The IRS encouraged taxpayers to begin assembling key documents that will be required for accurate reporting when the filing window opens in early 2026. This includes common forms such as W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, and statements related to investments, retirement accounts, and major financial transactions. The agency also encouraged taxpayers to retain receipts that support deductions or credits, including expenses tied to healthcare, education, child care, and charitable contributions.

The guidance also highlighted the importance of reviewing withholding and estimated payments before year end. Many taxpayers fail to verify whether withholdings match actual liability, which can lead to surprises at filing time. For employers and payroll managers, accurate withholding calculations reduce the likelihood of mismatches or correction requests that increase administrative burden later.

Although this reminder may seem routine, it arrives at a time when more complex IRS compliance frameworks are being implemented across multiple areas, including digital asset transactions, energy credits, clean vehicle incentives, and expanded information reporting by financial institutions. The more complex the system becomes, the more vital record-keeping becomes for both taxpayers and the professionals who advise them.

Why This Matters for CPAs, Tax Attorneys, and Business Owners

Early preparation reduces the risk of client errors that can trigger notices, audits, or amended returns. When taxpayers bring in their documentation too late, professionals are forced into reactive troubleshooting rather than proactive planning. For firms that handle high volumes, these late document arrivals contribute heavily to bottlenecks during filing season.

Organized documentation also supports more accurate tax planning. When CPAs and advisors receive financial information early, they can perform more reliable projections, advise on year-end tax moves, and catch potential issues long before the return is submitted. Business owners benefit as well because many deductions and credits require specific documentation, eligibility assessments, or timely elections.

Another key factor is the IRS shift toward expanded use of digital tools. As agencies increase automation in return processing, they rely heavily on clean data and consistent formatting. Poor or incomplete documentation often triggers processing flags. Taxpayers who start preparing now can reduce the chance of these delays.

For tax advisory firms that want to scale, encouraging early preparation is also a client service advantage. Firms that build structured, early intake processes experience less burnout, more predictable workloads, and improved client satisfaction.

What Tax Professionals Should Do Now

Professionals can take several immediate steps to align with the IRS guidance.

1. Begin client outreach campaigns focused on record gathering for tax year 2025.

2. Provide clients with updated document checklists tailored to their filing profile.

3. Remind payroll clients to review withholding and estimated payments before year end.

4. Encourage business owners to gather receipts and support for deductions that often cause issues, including travel, meals, home office expenses, and charitable contributions.

5. Set internal deadlines that require clients to submit documentation well before the filing season.

Proactive structure today creates smoother operations in 2026.

What Comes Next

The IRS is likely to release additional reminders as the filing season approaches. Professionals should expect continued emphasis on digital documentation, more automated compliance checks, and stricter verification of credit eligibility. The sooner taxpayers begin preparing, the fewer issues they will experience once returns are submitted. For advisors, this is the time to create systems that make early preparation the norm rather than the exception.

Try Bizora today.