Tax season is almost upon us for 2026. The Internal Revenue Service announced it will begin processing 2025 tax return documents.

It’s a new year and no sooner than resolutions are broken, tax season arrives.

It will officially begin Jan. 26 when the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting and processing 2025 tax returns.

Filers will be confronting several new wrinkles both in the tax code courtesy of the One Big Beautiful Bill and as a result of thousands of tax collection workers who have left the IRS through layoffs and buyouts brought about by the Department of Government Efficiency.

On July 4, 2025, new tax rules were signed into law under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation introduced major updates across the tax code affecting how Americans will file their taxes for years to come.

The IRS and the Treasury Department are working to implement the new law, including providing information on new tax deductions such as no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on car loan interest and the new temporary deduction for seniors.

This temporary deduction for seniors provision is especially important here in Butler County, where according the U.S. Census American Community Survey, 20.1% of the population, or 39,327 residents, are 65 and older.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill provisions effective for 2025 through 2028, individuals 65 and older may claim an additional deduction of $6,000 in addition to the current additional standard deduction for seniors under existing law.

This $6,000 senior deduction is per eligible taxpayer or $12,000 total for a married couple if both spouses qualify. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of over $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers.)

To take advantage of these new deductions, the IRS recommends having organized records to file accurate tax returns and avoid errors that could delay refunds. Start by collecting bank account information, W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms from banks and other payers and records of digital asset transactions.

Filing accurately could speed any refunds due. And more importantly, it will put another tax season behind us.

— EF