Tax Season·October 4, 2026·1 min read

Getting Ready for Tax Season: What’s New for Your 2026 Return

Bigger deductions, four brand-new tax breaks, and a simple checklist so your return is quick and accurate.

The 2027 filing season opens in late January, and this year brings more changes than usual. Here's what matters for your 2026 return and how to get ready now.

The standard deduction went up

Single or married filing separately: $16,100
Head of household: $24,150
Married filing jointly: $32,200

Four new deductions (2025 through 2028)

Tips: deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips. The deduction phases out above $150,000 of income ($300,000 joint).
Overtime: deduct up to $12,500 of qualified overtime pay ($25,000 joint). It covers the extra "half" portion of time-and-a-half, with the same income limits as tips.
Car loan interest: deduct up to $10,000 of interest on a loan for a new personal vehicle assembled in the U.S. and bought after 2024. It phases out above $100,000 ($200,000 joint), and we'll need the car's VIN.
Seniors 65+: an extra $6,000 per person, which phases out above $75,000 ($150,000 joint).

You get these even if you don't itemize. Most of them require a valid Social Security number.

Paper refund checks are being phased out

The IRS is moving to direct deposit, so please have your bank routing and account number ready.

What to bring

Photo ID, plus Social Security cards or ITINs for everyone on the return
W-2s and all 1099s (NEC, K, INT, DIV, R, G, SSA-1099)
Pay stubs or employer records showing overtime and tips
Car loan interest statement and the vehicle's VIN
Mortgage interest (1098), property tax, tuition (1098-T) and student loan interest (1098-E)
Childcare provider's name, address and tax ID
Form 1095-A if you have Marketplace insurance
Estimated tax payments you made in 2026
Last year's return if you're new to us

Get started online

New clients: sign up online. You can review and e-sign your engagement letter in minutes.
Returning clients: use the return tracker to see your checklist, upload documents and follow your return's progress.
Questions? Call (732) 500-5941.

This post is general information, not tax advice for your situation. Tax laws change; contact us before acting on anything here.

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