Here’s what HIVE AI had to say about “What new IRS tools are available for the 2026 filing season?”:
New IRS tools (and key tool expansions) highlighted for the 2026 filing season
- Expanded IRS Tax Pro Account features for tax professional businesses (for firms/organizations that use a business CAF number), including linking the business CAF to the firm’s EIN, managing authorized users/employees, viewing taxpayer information tied to the business CAF (within active authorizations), and withdrawing active authorizations on behalf of the business. 1
- Digital third-party authorizations completed entirely online when the tax pro uses Tax Pro Account and the taxpayer uses their IRS Individual Online Account (for example, powers of attorney and tax information authorizations), reducing the need to fax/mail documents; most are processed immediately (some may take up to 48 hours). 2
- IRS Individual Online Account (highlighted for 2026 season prep) to access tax records/transcripts, make/schedule/view payments, check refund status, get/view an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), view available Forms W-2 and certain 1099s, and approve digital authorization requests from a tax professional. 2 3
- IRS Free File and IRS Free File Fillable Forms availability dates for the 2026 filing season (as announced by IRS): Free File begins accepting returns starting January 9, 2026 (for eligible taxpayers), and Free File Fillable Forms are available starting January 26, 2026 (regardless of income). 3
Sources
1 – IRS announces next expansion of Tax Pro Account to support tax professional businesses
2 – Tax Pros: Get Ready for the filing season and save time with Tax Pro Account; encourage clients to use their IRS individual online account
3 – IRS announces first day of 2026 filing season; online tools and resources help with tax filing
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