Tax season 2026 is shaping up to be a tale of two experiences.
If you’re the kind of filer who submits an electronic return and opts for direct deposit, you’ll probably breeze through without a hitch. But if your return hits any snags or you need to actually talk to someone at the IRS, things could get complicated.
Erin Collins, National Taxpayer Advocate from the Taxpayer Advocate Service, warned Congress in her annual report that the 2026 filing season could present “greater challenges” for filers who experience problems.
Collins notes that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is navigating a “markedly different” landscape than last year.
That’s due to a 27% workforce reduction and leadership turnover at the agency, as well as extensive and complex tax law changes enacted under the Trump administration.
The good news: You can take steps right now to avoid becoming one of those problem cases.
What’s changed this year
Last year’s filing season was, by most accounts, smooth sailing. The IRS processed more than 165 million individual returns with the largest staff it had seen in years, and most filers got their refunds on time.
This year, things are different. Customer service representatives dropped by 22% in 2025, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate’s report.
There are also tax law changes from President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which could mean bigger refunds for many filers in 2026.
Since the IRS didn’t update withholding tables after the midyear change, many taxpayers may see the impact when they file their 2025 returns. More complex returns plus fewer experienced staffers could mean longer wait times.
The ‘seamless’ way to file
Collins notes in the report that the filing season should be “seamless” for taxpayers who submit an electronic, error-free return with direct deposit selected for refunds.
Paper returns take significantly longer to process under normal circumstances. As Collins writes in the annual report:
“The National Taxpayer Advocate has repeatedly warned that ‘paper is the IRS’s kryptonite’ and that the agency remains ‘buried in it.’ Paper returns require line-by-line manual data entry by an IRS employee. This process is time-consuming, error-prone and unsustainable.”
With reduced staffing, delays could stretch into weeks, months or even longer.
Opting for direct deposit means you get your refund faster than a paper check by mail, and it eliminates the risk of that check being lost or stolen.
You also want to double-check for errors on your return, which can send it to a review pile where it might sit for months until overworked IRS staff can get to it.
Verify that all names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth match exactly what’s on file with the Social Security Administration. Make sure you’ve reported all income from every W-2 and 1099 you received. If you’re claiming dependents, confirm you have the right to do so and that no one else is claiming them.
File early
Getting your return in early means you’re ahead of the rush and more likely to receive your refund before the agency gets bogged down.
If you’re waiting on certain tax documents, gather everything else you need in the meantime. The second you have all your forms in hand, you’re ready to go.
Know when professional help makes sense
If your tax situation is straightforward, options like IRS Free File can handle your return for no cost.
But if you have a more complex return involving business income, multiple state filings or recent life changes like marriage, a tax professional could be worth the investment this year.
Set up accounts and track your refund
Think proactively this year and use all the official tools at your disposal. You can set up an IRS online account now, and access payment history, tax information and notices in one place.
Once you’ve filed, use the Where’s My Refund? tool and the IRS2Go mobile app. You’ll need your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount to access your information.
Refund tracking typically updates once daily, usually overnight.
What to do if problems arise
If you need help, the Taxpayer Advocate Service aids filers who are experiencing hardship or whose problems haven’t been resolved through usual channels. It’s a resource worth knowing about, even if you hope never to use it.
