The 2026 U.S. tax season promises to be one of the most lucrative refund years in recent memory — with many Americans poised to receive significantly larger refunds due to major tax law changes and strategic tax planning. If you’re aiming for up to 30% more refund than previous years, this guide will walk you through how to maximize your refund and get it as early as possible.
Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and inflation adjustments, taxpayers can tap into a broader set of deductions, credits, and refund opportunities on their 2025 tax return, which you’ll file in early 2026.
Why 2026 Could Deliver a Bigger Refund
Tax experts expect the average refund to be larger than past seasons because of several key changes:
Expanded Standard Deduction and Tax Credits
- The standard deduction was increased for inflation.
- Child Tax Credit increases and more refundable tax credits can put more money back into your pocket.
New Deductions Like Tips and Overtime
For 2025 income — filed in 2026 — new deductions for qualified tip income, overtime pay, and other previously non-deductible items may apply.
Increased SALT Deduction Limits
State and local tax deductions are now more generous for many filers, which can lower taxable income and boost refunds.
These combined tax law improvements mean that many taxpayers could receive meaningfully higher refunds — in some cases up to 30% more than in 2025. This isn’t a guarantee for every taxpayer, but the pool of available deductions and credits is larger than it has been in years.
How to Get Your Bigger Refund Earlier
Even with a bigger refund, timing matters. Here’s what you should do to get your refund as quickly as IRS processing allows:
1. File Early & Electronically
The IRS began accepting 2025 tax returns on January 26, 2026 with a deadline of April 15, 2026. E-filing with direct deposit is still the fastest way to receive a refund.
2. Avoid Common Filing Errors
Mistakes like incorrect Social Security numbers, name misspellings, or wrong bank info can delay refunds. E-filing with reputable software helps reduce these errors.
3. Optimize Withholding with a Smart W-4
If you want a larger refund, consider correcting your Form W-4 withholding during the year — this increases the amount the IRS holds and can translate into a bigger refund next filing season.
4. Organize Documents Early
Getting your W-2s, 1099s, receipts, and deduction records ready before tax season peaks helps you file right away and avoid last-minute rush mistakes.
5. Professional Tax Strategy and Planning
Complex situations — like digital assets, business income, or itemizing deductions — require strategic planning to avoid leaving money on the table.
Why Hive Tax AI Is the Go-ToTax Research & Planning Tool in 2026
With the 2026 tax season shaped by major legislative changes and a broader set of tax credits and deductions than most years, tax research and advanced planning are more important than ever.
This is where Hive Tax AI stands apart:
Advanced Tax Research: Instantly analyze current tax code updates, depreciation rules, credit eligibility, and new deductions specific to the 2025 tax year.
Personalized Tax Planning: Hive Tax AI doesn’t just calculate — it strategizes. It creates custom planning scenarios to help you legally maximize your refund and plan adjustments throughout the year.
Fast, Accurate Insights: Hive Tax AI helps you uncover tax benefits that are often missed by outdated tools or manual methods — enabling more accurate returns and faster refunds.
For professionals and individual filers alike, Hive Tax AI is quickly becoming the go-to tax research and tax planning solution for the 2026 tax season.