- - Filing a tax return for the first time in 2026? What to know now

Rachel Barber, USA TODAYJanuary 3, 2026 at 5:02 AM

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While Americans celebrate the New Year and return to work, it’s easy to forget what comes after the holiday season: tax season.

Tax Day is still months away, but filing early could mean getting your refund sooner. Recent tax law changes could also result in a larger refund for a majority of filers compared to last year, according to CPA and TurboTax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis.

"The majority of people do get a tax refund, and last tax season, that refund amount was $3,000. That's a lot of money," Greene-Lewis said. "For many people, it's the biggest paycheck they get all year."

Last year, a TurboTax survey found nearly half of Americans don’t like or hate filing their taxes. For those just starting out or filing for the first time, the process often sparks anxiety which leads to procrastination, but experts say it’s best to start early.

More than half of Gen Z members reported they felt anxious about doing their taxes last year, according to a CNET survey. Among those surveyed, 33% said they feared making a mistake, 18% said they worried their information could be at risk to scammers, and 15% said they were concerned they would owe more to the IRS than they could afford.

"It's really intimidating, and every season, I'm forever feeling like I don't know what I'm doing," Alyssa Melani previously told USA TODAY.

No matter how anxiety-inducing the process may be, waiting until the deadline for filing federal tax returns might not be the best strategy. And if you miss it, you could face late payment penalties and interest unless you request an extension.

Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Stayton, writes how many signatures were submitted in a form at the Oregon Secretary of StateÕs office on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Salem, Ore.

More: Tax refunds could be up. When will the IRS accept returns in 2026?

Here are 6 things to keep in mind ahead of the 2026 tax season:

The time to take stock is now

The beginning of the year is a good time to ensure your withholdings were correct to avoid owing a large amount to the IRS in 2026.

Even small jobs, freelance gigs, or holiday work can affect your tax return. Know what counts as taxable income, and how to report it, to avoid errors next year. Sold an NFT or made money sports betting? Those can matter, too.

Track expenses and organize receipts for deductible purchases. If you plan to itemize, the time to make charitable donations was before Dec. 31, but there may have been reasons to hold off on year-end giving, depending on your situation.

You may want to file even if you don't need to

The IRS sets minimum income thresholds based on age and filing status, which determine whether you are required to file a return. For those single and younger than 65, that threshold is $15,750.

Even if you didn't earn that much, you may still want to file. If your employer withheld any portion of your pay for taxes, you may qualify for a refund.

While a Talker Research survey on behalf of TurboTax found that 20% of Gen Z believe they don't need to file tax returns, they could be leaving money on the table. The IRS reminded taxpayers last year it had more than $1 billion in unclaimed refunds for tax year 2021.

Double check your numbers

If you’re part of the one-third of Gen Zers worried about making a mistake while filing your return, you may want to pay extra attention when inputting your social security number.

Inputting it wrong is one of the simplest yet most common mistakes that can get you into trouble when doing your taxes, experts say.

Greene-Lewis reminds e-filers they'll also their adjusted gross income in 2024 to confirm their identity with the IRS, so keep last year's return handy.

Don't miss out on credits or deductions

Tax deductions can lower your taxable income, while tax credits can reduce the amount of tax you owe. If you take some time to research them, you could save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

If you’re not sure which ones you may qualify for, USA TODAY has you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some common deductions and credits new tax return filers can take.

You may also want to take time to review how new legislation, like the tax and spending legislation dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," will affect you. USA TODAY broke down the bill’s winners and losers. Depending on your job and income, certain credits or deductions could reduce your federal tax liability. New deductions are available for eligible tipped employees, those who worked qualified overtime, and for those paying interest on a qualified car loan.

Remember: state tax laws vary.

Check if you are a dependent

If you are living with a parent or guardian, or receiving their help for tuition or living expenses, they will probably claim you as a dependent on their tax returns. You’ll need to note your status as one on yours as well.

Dependents are qualifying children younger than 19, or 24 if a full-time student, according to the IRS. To qualify, dependents cannot provide more than half of their own annual financial support.

If you're in college and working, Greene-Lewis said, now is a good time to talk to your parents about whether them claiming you as a dependent is most advantageous. She added if your hoping to claim an education tax credit, it could be more beneficial for your parent not to claim you on their return.

"Only one person can claim those things and a lot of times parents don't qualify because those education credits are income based," Greene-Lewis said.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

If you find tax season confusing, you're not alone. Around half of taxpayers enlist a tax professional to help them file, but Gen Z is the least likely to seek professional assistance, a 2021 IRS survey found.

Several taxpayers, like Melani, turn to family members for guidance. Others turn to social media and even artificial intelligence chatbots for advice, according to the CNET survey, but experts warn filers shouldn't believe everything they hear online.

To ensure a smooth tax season, Miklos Ringbauer, founder of the accounting and tax strategy firm MiklosCPA, recommends consulting with a professional before making any major decisions.

“You don’t need five times a year, but check in once every year, or once every couple of years, with a reputable accountant who you know and trust so they can give you the support, especially after there’s major tax legislation,” Ringbauer previously told USA TODAY.

Reach Rachel Barber at [email protected] and follow her on X @rachelbarber_

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know now if filing a tax return for the first time in 2026

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