Key Takeaways

• The IRS is urging taxpayers to prepare early for the 2026 filing season, citing system updates and process changes.
  
• Accessing and verifying an IRS online account is one of the most important steps filers can take before tax season opens.
  
• Identity verification through ID.me remains required for many IRS digital services and can take time to complete.
  
• Filing early and electronically may help taxpayers avoid delays as the IRS navigates staffing and budget pressures.
  
• The agency expects most taxpayers to file electronically, with refund timing tied closely to accuracy and preparation.

The Internal Revenue Service is sending a clear message to taxpayers well ahead of the next filing season: do not wait until the last minute.

In a recent press release titled Prepare to file in 2026, the IRS outlined several steps it says taxpayers should take now to avoid headaches when tax season officially opens. The guidance reflects both routine preparation and a broader reality facing the agency as it heads into 2026 with updated systems, evolving tax rules, and ongoing operational pressure.

While the IRS framed the update as a reminder, the timing suggests something more practical. The agency is encouraging early action at a moment when filing delays, identity verification hurdles, and customer service constraints remain front of mind for millions of households.

Why The IRS Is Pushing Early Preparation

According to the IRS, preparing in advance can make the difference between a smooth filing experience and weeks of frustration.

The agency has emphasized that taxpayers should review prior returns, gather income documents, and confirm personal information before filing begins. The guidance builds on recent IRS messaging that preparing early helps reduce errors that slow processing and refunds.

As CNBC reported, the IRS says preparing early can prevent delays as filing volumes rise and operational capacity remains constrained.

The IRS expects the majority of taxpayers to file electronically again in 2026, continuing a long-running shift toward digital filing. According to the agency, most taxpayers file electronically, a trend that generally leads to faster processing and fewer errors.

The IRS Online Account Is Central To 2026 Filing

One of the most prominent recommendations in the IRS update is for taxpayers to access their IRS online account before tax season opens.

The online account allows filers to view prior tax records, check balances, see notices, make payments, and monitor refund status. It also provides access to certain information returns reported by employers and financial institutions, which can help taxpayers verify income before filing.

According to the IRS, setting up the account early can prevent delays later, particularly if identity verification issues arise close to the filing deadline.

ID.me Remains A Gatekeeper For IRS Services

Accessing many IRS digital tools requires ID.me identity verification, handled by a third-party identity verification provider used across federal agencies.

To complete verification, taxpayers typically need a government-issued ID and either a selfie or a live video call. While the IRS describes the process as a one-time setup, it can take time, especially during peak filing season when demand spikes.

Electronic Filing Is Still The IRS Preference

The agency continues to steer taxpayers toward electronic filing. Historically, electronic returns are processed faster than paper filings, and refund timelines are often shorter when returns are error-free.

Eligible households can also use IRS Free File to submit returns at no cost.

Errors tied to income reporting or tax withholding remain a common source of delays, as do misunderstandings around tax credits.

Refund Timing Depends On Accuracy And Preparation

The IRS cautions that refund processing timelines depend heavily on how accurately returns are prepared.

Returns flagged for errors, identity verification issues, or missing information may take longer to process. The agency also warns about common filing mistakes that frequently slow refunds.

Operational Pressure Is Part Of The Backdrop

The update arrives as scrutiny continues around IRS staffing levels and customer service capacity.

Oversight reports from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration have highlighted challenges tied to staffing reductions and workload pressure during filing seasons.

Coverage from CNN on IRS operations heading into tax season has also underscored how service delays remain sensitive to staffing constraints.

At the same time, Bloomberg has reported on how federal agencies under budget pressure are increasingly shifting responsibility toward taxpayer self-service tools.

What This Means For Taxpayers

For individual filers, the message is simple. Preparation now reduces risk later.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that help remains available through the Taxpayer Advocate Service for unresolved or systemic issues.

Past reporting from Fox Business on IRS customer service concerns shows that delays peak when millions of filers wait until the same deadlines.

What To Watch Next

The next major milestone is when the 2026 tax filing season opens and the IRS begins accepting returns.

Coverage from Benzinga on retail taxpayers heading into 2026 shows that even small procedural changes can materially affect refund timing and filing strategy.

For now, the IRS message is clear. Act early, verify access, and reduce the chances of costly delays.

Featured Image credit: Author

Benzinga Disclaimer: This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga’s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.