2026

  • What changed?

    Several federal tax provisions increased for the 2026 tax year because of inflation adjustments and amendments made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. These changes affect the standard deduction, income tax brackets, the Alternative Minimum Tax, and several credits and exclusions.

    Some of the most significant individual tax changes include:

    • Standard deduction increased to $16,100 for single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately.

    • Standard deduction increased to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and qualifying surviving spouses.

    • Standard deduction increased to $24,150 for heads of household.

    • Federal income tax brackets were adjusted for inflation, while seven tax rates remain 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%.

    • Alternative Minimum Tax exemptions increased to $90,100 for unmarried taxpayers and $140,200 for married couples filing jointly.

    • The maximum adoption credit increased to $17,670, with up to $5,120 potentially refundable.

  • What changed?

    Several retirement and health savings provisions changed for the 2026 tax year because of annual inflation adjustments and recent federal legislation. These updates affected contribution limits, catch-up contributions,Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and retirement planning opportunities.

    Some of the most significant retirement and health savings updates included:

    • 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plan contribution limits increased to $24,500.

    • IRA contribution limit increased to $7,500.

    • Higher catch-up contribution limits remained available for eligible taxpayers ages 60 through 63.

    • Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limits increased to $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage.

    • Expanded HSA eligibility and administration under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

  • What changed?

    Several business tax provisions changed for the 2026 tax year because of annual inflation adjustments and amendments made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). These updates affected business deductions, depreciation, information reporting, and tax planning opportunities for many businesses.

    Some of the most significant business tax updates included:

    • Section 179 deduction limits increased, allowing more qualifying property to be expensed immediately.

    • 100% bonus depreciation was permanently restored for qualifying property placed in service after January 19, 2025.

    • The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction was made permanent, with additional changes affecting eligibility and a new minimum deduction for certain taxpayers.

    • The information-reporting threshold increased from $600 to $2,000 for many reportable payments made after 2025, reducing filing requirements for some businesses.

    • The standard business mileage rate increased to 72.5 cents per mile in 2026.

  • What changed?

    Digital asset reporting continued to evolve for the 2026 tax year as new IRS reporting requirements became effective. Many taxpayers who sold cryptocurrency or other digital assets through brokers began receiving Form 1099-DA, a new information return created specifically for digital asset transactions.

    Some of the most significant digital asset updates included:

    • Introduction of Form 1099-DA for many digital asset transactions reported by brokers.

    • Expanded broker reporting requirements for digital asset sales.

    • New reporting rules for certain cost basis information on covered digital assets.

  • What changed?

    Several international tax developments took effect for the 2026 tax year as new legislation and IRS guidance affected certain cross-border transactions and reporting requirements. These updates may be relevant for taxpayers with international financial activities, foreign income, or qualifying money transfers to recipients outside the United States.

    Some of the most significant international and cross-border tax updates included:

    • A new 1% remittance transfer tax on certain qualifying international money transfers funded with cash or similar physical payment instruments.

    • Treasury and IRS guidance clarifying the application of the new remittance transfer tax.

    • New compliance responsibilities for certain remittance transfer providers.

  • What changed?

    Several federal estate, gift, and trust tax provisions changed or were updated for 2026. New legislation increased the federal estate and gift tax basic exclusion amount, while annual inflation adjustments affected certain gifting limits and the income-tax brackets applicable to estates and trusts.

    Some of the most significant updates included:

    • Federal estate and gift tax basic exclusion increased to $15 million for individuals in 2026, up from $13.99 million in 2025.

    • Generation-skipping transfer tax exemption increased to $15 million for 2026.

    • Annual gift tax exclusion remained at $19,000 per recipient.

    • Annual exclusion for gifts to a spouse who is not a U.S. citizen increased to $194,000.

    • Estate and trust income-tax brackets were adjusted, with the highest 37% federal rate applying once taxable income exceeds $16,000.

  • What changed?

    The IRS continued expanding digital services, identity protection tools, and administrative guidance during the 2026 tax year. In addition to implementing new legislation, the IRS encouraged taxpayers to use online account services, electronic payments, and identity protection resources to improve account security and streamline tax administration.

    Some of the most significant IRS guidance and administrative updates included:

    • Expanded use of IRS Online Account for managing tax records, payments, and account information.

    • Continued expansion of the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) program to help prevent tax-related identity theft.

    • Additional administrative guidance implementing provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

    • Greater emphasis on electronic payments and direct deposit as part of the IRS’s modernization efforts.

  • What should you know?

    Federal filing and information-reporting deadlines vary according to the taxpayer, business entity, return, and reporting obligation involved. The following dates highlight several widely applicable federal deadlines occurring during calendar year 2026. Some taxpayers may have additional requirements, and deadlines may change because of weekends, legal holidays, disaster relief, or other special circumstances.

    Some of the most significant 2026 filing and reporting deadlines included:

    • January 15, 2026 — Fourth estimated tax payment for tax year 2025 due for many calendar-year individual taxpayers.

    • February 2, 2026 — Deadline for employers to furnish 2025 Forms W-2 and for businesses to furnish many recipient copies of Forms 1099. The usual January 31 deadline moved because January 31 fell on a Saturday.

    • March 16, 2026 — Deadline for most calendar-year partnership returns, Form 1065, and S corporation returns, Form 1120-S, including applicable Schedule K-1 and K-3.

    • April 15, 2026 — Deadline for most individual tax year 2025 federal income tax returns, calendar-year C corporation returns, calendar-year estate and trust income tax returns, and payment of tax generally due with those returns. It was also the deadline to request many filing extensions.

    • April 15, 2026 — First estimated tax payment for tax year 2026 due for many individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders.

    • June 15, 2026 — Second estimated tax payment for tax year 2026 due. This was also the general filing deadline for certain U.S. citizens and resident aliens living and working outside the United States.

    • September 15, 2026 — Third estimated tax payment for tax year 2026 due, as well as the extended filing deadline for many calendar-year partnerships and S corporations.

    • September 30, 2026 — Extended filing deadline for many calendar-year estates and trusts filing Form 1041.

    • October 15, 2026 — Extended deadline for many individual federal income tax returns and calendar-year C corporation returns. It is also the automatic extended deadline for qualifying FBAR, FinCEN Form 114, filings. An income-tax extension generally provides more time to file, not more time to pay.

    • January 15, 2027 — Fourth estimated tax payment for tax year 2026 due for many calendar-year individual taxpayers.

    Estimated tax payment schedule

    • First payment: April 15, 2026

    • Second payment: June 15, 2026

    • Third payment: September 15, 2026

    • Fourth payment: January 15, 2027

    These dates generally apply to individuals who are required to make estimated payments, including many self-employed taxpayers, sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders.

    Filing and reporting reminders

    • Identify the deadlines that apply to your individual, business, employment, international, or information-reporting obligations.

    • File Forms W-2 and applicable Forms 1099 timely, because information returns may be due earlier than income tax returns.

    • Remember that extensions generally extend filing time, not payment time.

    • Make all four estimated tax payments when required, rather than focusing only on the April and September installments.

    • Verify deadlines each year, particularly when dates fall on weekends or legal holidays or when disaster relief applies.

    Federal tax deadlines occur throughout the year, not only in April. Maintaining a current tax calendar can help individuals and businesses manage income tax returns, information reports, estimated payments, and extended filing obligations while reducing the risk of penalties and interest.