4 steps you can take now to make filing easier

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 adjust gross income (AGI)
• Request an Identity Protection PIN using your smartphone or tablet.
• View available information return documents, such as 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.
• View authorization requests from lenders.
• Approve and electronically sign Power of Attorney and Tax Information Authorization from your tax professional.
• Manage your communication preferences in IRS.
• View the status of your refend 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, 1099-NEC, W2, 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
• Any IRS or other agency letters
• CP01A Notice with your new Identity Protection PIN, if applicable

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 or side business
• digital assets

An ITN 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 expired on December 31, 2025.

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

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.