How to Prepare for 2026 Tax Season

Preparing for the incoming tax season doesn’t have to be time consuming. Here is a checklist to make you are able to effectively cover all your bases for the 2026 tax season.

1. Check Your EFIN Status– One of the biggest surprises to tax pros happens when they discover via e-file rejection acknowledgement that their EFIN is not in active status. In order to prevent this surprise from happening to you, be sure to periodically go into your IRS e-services account and check in on your EFIN status. If the IRS sees any potentially suspicious activity that includes your EFIN, they will automatically deactivate it. Getting a new EFIN does not take long, and everyone will be safe in their tax filing processes. 

2. Renew your PTIN and other state required credentials, such as CTEC or your NYTPRIN– No matter what U.S. state you live in, if you prepare returns for compensation, you are required to obtain or renew your Preparer Tax ID Number each year. Not all states have their own preparer requirements, but several do, such as California which has their California Tax Education Council which imposes educational requirements for California tax preparers in order to renew your “A” number. New York has their own preparer ID number which is the New York Tax Preparer Registration Identification Number. Checking in on your IRS CE is also ideal at this stage to ensure you hit your goal for this year. You still have time to get any missing credits completed prior to renewal. 

3. Complete your IRS AFSP– If you are an unenrolled tax preparer, this voluntary competency program can help set you apart from the competition. You have until the end of the year to get 12 course credits in and a 6 credit-hour test.  If you are an exempt preparer then this step is easy once your CE is met for the year. 

4. Check in on your professional tax software– When is the expected release date for the 2025 program? Are you staying with the same platform? If you are changing tax software platforms, have you thought about your file conversions? Do you have technical support to assist you with this? Does your professional tax program have a mobile application? 

5. Get Updated on Tax Law Changes– 2025 has been a big year for tax law changes. If you have not taken any continuing education courses for tax law updates, do them sooner than later. Changes from the new Senior deduction, and the “no tax on overtime” provision to the “no tax on tips” provision, there are many tax law updates that will effect your clients. Get to know the changes now and avoid being surprised during tax season!