Forbes Tax Service

06/03/2026

Wow, Saturday hours will be so helpful!

Need in-person help from the ? On Saturday, May 30, select Taxpayer Assistance Centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to visit IRS.gov/SaturdayHours ahead of time to confirm participating locations and available services before heading to an office. For more information, go to: https://ow.ly/ioJ850Z4Pvi

05/01/2026

Hi everyone, I hope you all have been doing great! Three weeks ago, I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder, and I'm right-handed. I have a week to go being in the sling. It's hard doing everything with your left hand when you've only used the right hand all your life. Feels like things take twice as long, lol.

04/22/2026

For those who file with children still…

The Child Tax Credit helps families get a tax break. You may be able to claim the credit even if you don't normally file a tax return. Use the Interactive Tax Assistant to check whether your child qualifies: https://ow.ly/sKPE50YGJuw

02/19/2026

Want to work virtually instead of making an office visit? Download our app and we can discuss everything through messages or a phone call.

https://taxestogo.com/App/Download/87182

02/13/2026

IRS warns taxpayers of potential refund delays this filing season

For the 2026 tax filing season, the IRS and the National Taxpayer Advocate have warned of potential refund delays caused by significant staffing cuts, new electronic payment requirements, and a backlog from a prior government shutdown. While most electronic returns without errors are still expected to be processed within 21 days, certain factors may extend this timeline to six weeks or longer.
Primary Causes of 2026 Refund Delays
Workforce Reductions: The IRS has seen a 27% reduction in staffing since the start of 2025, which may slow down manual reviews and customer service.
New Direct Deposit Mandate: Starting this season, the IRS has effectively phased out paper checks. If a return lacks bank information or the deposit is rejected, the refund will be frozen until the taxpayer provides valid details, potentially adding weeks to the wait.
Mandatory Credit Holds: By law (the PATH Act), refunds for taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) cannot be issued before mid-February.
Complex Tax Law Changes: The implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes extensive new rules and retroactive changes that increase the likelihood of returns being flagged for manual review.
Processing Backlog: A 2025 government shutdown created an inventory of unworked cases that has carried over into the current filing season.
Key Dates for 2026 Refunds
Milestone Expected Date
PATH Act Hold Lifted February 16, 2026
"Where's My Refund?" Update February 21, 2026 (for early EITC/ACTC filers)
EITC/ACTC Refund Arrival By March 2–6, 2026 (via direct deposit)
Tips to Avoid Delays
File Electronically: E-filed returns are processed significantly faster than paper returns, which can take six to eight weeks.
Use Direct Deposit: Ensure your routing and account numbers are triple-checked. Incorrect information will now trigger an automatic freeze rather than an immediate paper check.
Track Your Status: Use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool or the IRS2Go app for the most accurate status updates.

02/12/2026

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) can expect their refunds by March 2, 2026.

Why the Delay Occurs

By law, under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, the IRS is prohibited from issuing refunds for returns claiming these specific credits before mid-February.

Entire Refund Held: This mandate applies to the entire refund amount, not just the portion associated with the credits.

Fraud Prevention: The delay provides the IRS extra time to verify income and identity to prevent potential fraud.

Key Dates for 2026 Refunds

Mid-February: The IRS will begin processing these returns but does not immediately fund the refunds.

February 21: Taxpayers can check the IRS Where’s My Refund? tool for a personalized, projected deposit date.

March 2: Most early filers who used direct deposit and have no issues with their return should see their funds by this date.

March 6: The date by which most PATH-related refunds are expected to be fully deposited into bank accounts or loaded onto debit cards.

Factors That May Cause Further Delays

Beyond the PATH Act hold, other factors can extend the wait:

Mailed Checks: Refunds sent by mail can take six weeks or longer to arrive.

Incomplete Information: Errors in Social Security numbers or mismatched income reporting can trigger a manual review.

Direct Deposit Issues: If bank information is missing or a deposit is rejected, the IRS will temporarily freeze the refund rather than automatically mailing a check.

To ensure the fastest processing, the IRS recommends filing electronically and choosing direct deposit.

01/28/2026

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is entering the 2026 tax season facing
severe operational risks due to a 26% reduction in workforce and significant inventory backlogs. This depletion, fueled by mass resignations and leadership turnover in 2025, has left the agency with fewer than 76,000 employees to handle the 164 million returns expected this year.

Current challenges impacting the 2026 filing season include:

Growing Inventory Backlogs: Processing inventories are currently 129% higher than pre-pandemic levels. This includes over 500,000 amended returns and nearly 300,000 paper returns.

Reduced Service Standards: Due to hiring shortfalls, the IRS has lowered its telephone service goal to 70%, down from 85% last year. Many new hires are only trained to "screen" calls rather than provide complex assistance.

01/18/2026

IRS has announced opening day to start accepting federal income tax returns.