Get ready to file your taxes

Taxpayers who received more than $20,000 in payments for goods and services in more than 200 transactions through an online marketplace or payment app in 2025 should expect to receive a Form 1099-K in January 2026. IRS will also receive a copy of your Form 1099-K.

There have been no changes to the taxability of income. All income, including proceeds from part-time work, side jobs or the sale of goods and services is taxable. Taxpayers must report all income on their tax return unless it's excluded by law, whether they receive a Form 1099-K, a Form 1099-NEC, Form 1099-MISC, or any other information return.

It is important for taxpayers to understand why they received a Form 1099-K and how to use it along with their other records to figure and report the correct amount of income on their tax return. It is also important for taxpayers to know what to do if they received a Form 1099-K but shouldn't have. In either situation, good recordkeeping is key and will help make tax filing easier.

See What to do with Form 1099-K for more information

Life events, such as purchasing a home, going to college or losing a job, may make you eligible for certain tax benefits. Other circumstances, such as getting married or divorced, welcoming a child or experiencing the death of a spouse or a dependent you claim, could also affect your tax benefit eligibility and filing status. These changes could mean you qualify for tax credits like the Education Credits, Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child and Dependent Care Credit and Credit for Other Dependents (ODC).

• For 2025, the CTC is worth up to $2,200 for each qualifying child. A child must be under age 17 at the end of 2025 to be a qualifying child and meet other eligibility rules.
• For 2025, the EITC eligible taxpayers with no qualifying children may receive up to $649.
• If your dependent is age 17 or older at the end of 2025, they may qualify for the ODC.

For the Child and Dependent Care Credit, taxpayers may receive up to 35% of their employment expenses. Visit Credits and deductions for more details.

Expiring energy-related credits and deductions

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill accelerated the termination of several energy credit and deduction provisions. Fact Sheet 2025-05 has information on which energy credits and deductions are expiring under OBBB and their new termination dates. The information provides general guidance to taxpayers and tax professionals. Visit the One, Big, Beautiful Bill provisions page for the latest information.

Many different factors can affect the timing of your refund after we receive your return. Although the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, the IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.

Identity theft and refund fraud. Some returns may require additional review and may take longer to process. The IRS, along with its partners in the tax industry, continue to strengthen security reviews to help protect against identity theft and refund fraud.

Managing refund expectations. If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS cannot issue these refunds before mid-February. This applies to the entire refund, even the portion not associated with these credits. Check Where’s My Refund in mid- to late-February for your personalized refund date.

Payment modernization. In accordance with Executive Order 14247, the IRS began phasing out paper tax refund checks on Sept. 30, 2025. For tax year 2025, the IRS will request banking information on all tax returns when filed to issue refunds via direct deposit or electronic funds transfer. For payments or remittances associated with fees, fines and taxes to the IRS, online payment options are the preferred method.

Returns requiring manual review. Some returns, filed electronically or on paper, may need manual review delaying the processing if our systems detect a possible error, the return is missing information, or there is suspected identity theft or fraud. Some of these situations require us to correspond with taxpayers, but some do not. This work does require special handling by an IRS employee so, in these instances, it may take the IRS more than 21 days to issue any related refund. In cases where the IRS can correct the return without corresponding, the IRS will send an explanation to the taxpayer.

Consider adjusting your withholding if you owed taxes or received a large refund when you filed. Changing your withholding can help you avoid a tax bill or let you keep more money each payday. Credit amounts may change each year, so visit IRS.gov and use the Interactive Tax Assistant to identify whether you qualify for any tax credits that may call for a withholding adjustment. Life changes – getting married or divorced, welcoming a child, or taking on a second job - may also result in a need to update withholding.

Use the Tax Withholding Estimator to help you determine the right amount of tax to have withheld from your paycheck. This tool on IRS.gov will help determine if you need to adjust your withholding and submit a new Form W-4 to your employer.

Consider estimated tax payments. If you receive a substantial amount of non-wage income like self-employment income, investment income, taxable Social Security benefits and in some instances, pension and annuity income, you should make quarterly estimated tax payments. For estimated tax purposes, the year is divided into four payment periods, with the last payment due in mid-January.

Log in to your online account to make a payment online or go to IRS.gov/payments.

Use your IRS individual online account to securely access the latest information available about your federal tax account. With an online account you can:

• View or download key details from your tax returns filed in the last five years, such as your adjusted gross income.
• Request an Identity Protection PIN using your smartphone or tablet.
• View available information return documents, such as Forms W-2 and certain 1099s.
• Receive and view IRS digital notices.
• View your tax owed and payments made.
• Make or schedule payments and apply for or modify payment plans.
• Approve power of attorney or tax information authorizations electronically from your tax professional.
• Manage your communication preferences from the IRS.
• View the status of your refund as it’s being processed.

Organized tax records make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier. It helps you avoid errors that can slow your refund and may also help you find overlooked deductions or credits.

Wait to file until you have your tax records including:

• Forms W-2 from your employer(s)
• Forms 1099 from banks, issuing agencies and other payers including unemployment compensation, dividends, pension, annuity or retirement plan distributions
• Form 1099-K, 1099-MISC, W-2 or other income statement if you worked in the gig economy
• Form 1099-INT if you were paid interest
• Other income documents and records of digital asset transactions
• Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, to reconcile advance payments or claims for Premium Tax Credits for 2022 Marketplace coverage
• IRS or other agency letters
• CP01A Notice with your new Identity Protection PIN

Notify the IRS if your address changes and notify the Social Security Administration of a legal name change.

Remember, most income is taxable. This includes:

• unemployment income,
• interest received,
• income from the gig economy, and
• digital assets.

An ITIN only needs to be renewed if it has expired and is needed on a U.S. federal tax return. 

If your ITIN wasn't included on a U.S. federal tax return at least once for tax years 2022, 2023 and 2024, your ITIN will expire on Dec. 31, 2025.

The IRS processes requests in the order they were received. Your patience is appreciated. You will be notified once your ITIN is assigned or if additional information is needed.

An IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a federal tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. It’s a vital tool for ensuring the safety of your personal and financial information.

The IRS will accept Forms 1040, 1040-NR and 1040-SS even if a dependent has already been claimed on a previously filed return if the primary taxpayer on the second return includes a valid IP PIN. This will reduce the time for the agency to receive the tax return and accelerate the issuance of tax refunds for those with duplicate dependent returns.

The best way to sign up for an IP PIN is through your IRS Online Account. If you are unable to create an online account, alternative methods are available, such as in-person authentication at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. More information is available on how to sign up at Get an identity protection PIN (IP PIN).

The fastest way for you to get your tax refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit. Direct deposit gives you access to your refund faster than a paper check. Get your routing and account number by signing into your online banking account or contacting your bank.

Don't have a bank account? Learn how to open an account at an FDIC-Insured bank or through the National Credit Union Locator Tool. If you are a Veteran, see the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP) for access to financial services at participating banks.

Prepaid debit cards or mobile apps may allow direct deposit of tax refunds. They must have routing and account numbers associated with them that can be entered on your tax return. Check with the mobile app provider or financial institution to confirm which numbers to use.

Direct deposit also avoids the possibility that a refund check could be lost or stolen or returned to the IRS as undeliverable.

Use IRS Free File

Almost everyone can file electronically for free on IRS.gov or with the IRS2Go app. The IRS Free File program, available only through IRS.gov, offers eligible taxpayers brand-name tax preparation software packages to use at no cost. Some of the Free File packages also offer free state tax return preparation. The software does all the work of finding deductions, credits and exemptions for you.

If you're comfortable preparing your own taxes, you can use Free File Fillable Forms, regardless of your income.

Use MilTax if you're a service member or qualifying veteran

Members of the armed forces and some veterans may take advantage of Military One Source tax filing software called MilTax. Miltax is a free tax resource is available, designed and offered through the Department of Defense for the military community who may have special tax implications, such as deployments, combat and training pay, housing and rentals and multi-state filings. Up to three state returns can be filed for free using MilTax. There is no income limit for eligible taxpayers to use MilTax to file their federal and state tax returns electronically. 

Use the VITA Locator Tool

The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer no-cost basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA Locator Tool is updated throughout the filing season to help you locate a nearby open VITA site.

Find a tax professional

There are various types of tax return preparers, including enrolled agents, certified public accountants, attorneys and some who don't have a professional credential.

Preparers should be skilled in tax preparation and accurately filing income tax returns. You trust them with your most personal information. They know about your marital status, your income, your children and your social security numbers – the details of your financial life.

Most tax return preparers provide outstanding and professional tax service. However, choosing the wrong tax return preparer hurts taxpayers financially every year. Be sure to check our tips for choosing a tax preparer and how to avoid unethical "ghost" return preparers.

The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications can help you find preparers in your area who currently hold professional credentials recognized by the IRS, or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.

Use the Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)

Use the ITA to find out if life event changes make you eligible for credits you didn't qualify for in the past. The ITA is a tool that provides answers to many tax law questions. It can determine if a type of income is taxable, if you're eligible to claim certain credits, or if you can deduct expenses on your tax return. It also provides answers for general questions, such as determining your filing status, if you can claim dependents, or if you must file a tax return.

After you file, check the status of your refund by going to IRS.gov and clicking on Where's My Refund? The status of your refund will be available within 24 hours after the IRS accepts your e-filed tax return. The Where's My Refund? tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so you only need to check once a day.

File electronically and choose Direct Deposit for your tax refund – it's the fastest and safest way to receive your money. If you file a paper return, you can still choose direct deposit.

There's never been a better time to join the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. VITA/TCE volunteers provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. With many people experiencing financial changes this year, additional volunteers are needed to assist them. Signing up to volunteer is a quick and easy process.

Volunteers can help taxpayers complete their returns over the phone, online or in-person. With virtual availability and flexible hours, volunteering is a great option to support low- to moderate-income taxpayers, develop valuable skills and make a lasting impact.

Volunteers can choose from roles such as tax preparer, greeter, interpreter and more. No experience is necessary and free web-based training is provided for all volunteers.

Visit IRS.gov/volunteers to learn more and sign up. After signing up, you'll receive more information about attending a virtual orientation.

The IRS is working to protect taxpayers from falling victim to scams and schemes. Tax scams are on the rise, and scammers will try to deceive you by impersonating the IRS, providing bad tax advice and malicious web links. Always check if a message is real if you are being pressured for money, personal, financial or employee information. Stay safe and protect yourself.

Publication 5533, Why You Should Create an IRS Online Account PDF

Publication 5533-A, How to Submit Authorizations Using Tax Pro Account and Online Account PDF

Publication 5136, IRS Services Guide PDF

Shows where to find help on IRS.gov

Publication 5349, Year-round tax planning is for everyone PDF

Explains that what you do now may affect any tax you could owe or refund you may expect next year