3 Accountant-Approved Tax Tips Everyone Should Follow in 2026

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The financial storms of tax season are blowing in, and this year, as new IRS rules and updated tax laws for 2026 roll out, taxpayers are looking for reliable ways to stay cool, collected and compliant while keeping more of their hard-earned money. Whether you’re filing as an individual, managing household finances or running a small business, the right tax planning strategies can make a major difference.

These easy-to-follow steps are designed to help you stay organized and take advantage of the most valuable credits and savings opportunities available in the new year. Best of all, they are accountant and tax expert approved. To help you prepare early and avoid costly mistakes, here are three accountant-approved and easy tax tips for 2026.

Know the Upcoming Due Dates

Missing specific tax due dates can put a kink in your financial armor so it’s important to keep track of when you need to file for your specific tax situation. Some dates can shift from year to year, especially if you own a small business or pay quarterly.

Here are the tax dates individuals and business owners need to keep in mind for the rest of 2026 and beyond:

• April 1, 2026: Due date to take the 2025 required minimum distribution from your retirement account if you turned 73 during the tax year 2025.
• April 15, 2026 (Tax Day): This is the main tax filing deadline. You need to file or e-file your individual federal income tax return. It is also the deadline for most state tax returns, though there are some exceptions. Keep in mind you also need to request a tax extension by filing Form 4868 and to pay any taxes due from tax year 2025, make HSA and IRA contributions for tax year 2025 or estimate tax payments due for the first quarter of 2026 by this date.
• June 15, 2026: Second quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.
• Sept. 15, 2026: Third quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.
• Oct. 15, 2026: Extended deadline to file your 2025 income tax return if you requested a tax extension.
• Dec. 31, 2026: Due date to take the 2026 required minimum distribution from your retirement plan for those 73 and older.
• Jan. 15, 2027: Fourth quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.

Be Aware of the Key Changes for Tax Year 2025

There are a fair number of tweaks to your taxes if you’re filing in 2026 for tax year 2025. The Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduced higher standard deductions, increased child tax credits and new deductions for senior citizens, just to name a few. Here are some key takeaways: 

• Standard deductions have increased to $15,750 for single filers, $31,500 for married filing jointly, and $23,625 for heads of household.
• The state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap is raised to $40,000 for married couples filing jointly ($20,000 for married filing separately).
• The child tax credit increased to a maximum of $2,200 per eligible child.
• An additional $6,000 deduction is available for individuals 65 and older.
• Qualified overtime pay of up to $12,500 single or $25,000 married couples filing jointly and tip income up to $25,000, may be deductible, subject to income phaseouts.
• A deduction for interest on new domestic auto loans may be available up to $10,000. However, many clean energy credits for electric vehicles have been eliminated.
• The estate tax exemption has increased to $15 million per individual. 

Make Sure You Are Filing All Required Forms

A common reason for your tax return being rejected when you file electronically is that you are missing Form 8962. This is because this form is required for all taxpayers with health insurance coverage through a health insurance marketplace. 

Form 8962 is required if you, your spouse or anybody you claim as a dependent is enrolled in this type of health insurance. However, Form 1095-A (health insurance marketplace summary) summarizes important information about the coverage provided.

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