Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

IRS.gov Banner

e-News for Tax Professionals



January 26, 2026





Issue Number:  2026-04 – Filing Season Special Edition #1

Inside This Issue

* Filing season begins January 26 [ #First ]
* Earned Income Tax Credit resources are available for tax professionals to share [ #Second ]
* Avoid scams [ #Third ]
* Report data breaches [ #Fourth ]
________________________________________________________________________

*1.  Filing season begins January 26*

________________________________________________________________________

The IRS began accepting individual tax returns [ [link removed] ] today, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.

To help tax professionals and their clients get ready [ [link removed] ] to file tax returns, this special edition of e-News for Tax Professionals provides resources and reminders.

Please take time to review this content. Tax professionals can forward this message to their clients or use the content in their own communications.

Back to top [ #top ]

________________________________________________________________________

*2.  Earned Income Tax Credit resources are available for tax professionals to share*

________________________________________________________________________

The IRS and its partners observed Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day [ [link removed] ] on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. The IRS asks tax professionals to help inform individuals about the resources available for claiming the EITC.

To claim this valuable credit, American working families need to meet specific criteria and file a tax return, even if they are not obligated to do so based on their earnings. The IRS encourages individuals to utilize the EITC Assistant [ [link removed] ] to determine eligibility, or to refer to the child-related tax benefits comparison [ [link removed] ] for basic eligibility guidelines.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the fastest way to get a tax refund is by filing an accurate tax return electronically [ [link removed] ] and choosing direct deposit [ [link removed] ] for their refund.

Tax professionals and their clients should visit IRS.gov as their primary source for important information during the filing season. Even if a taxpayer does not qualify for the EITC, they may still be eligible for other credits or deductions. The Interactive Tax Assistant [ [link removed] ] is available as a resource to help taxpayers assess their eligibility for the Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, or Credit for Other Dependents.

For more information visit EITC Awareness Day [ [link removed] ] on IRS.gov.

Back to top [ #top ]

________________________________________________________________________

*3.  Avoid scams*

________________________________________________________________________

Tax season is a busy time for tax professionals. It’s a busy time for criminals too [ [link removed] ] as they ramp up efforts to trick people into sharing sensitive personal information. Identity thieves might use this information to try filing false tax returns and stealing refunds.

The IRS and Security Summit [ [link removed] ] partners want taxpayers, tax professionals and businesses to keep a watchful eye out for these threats [ [link removed] ]:


*

Social media scams: Bad tax advice on social media can mislead taxpayers about their credit or refund eligibility. Influencers may convince taxpayers to lie on tax forms or suggest the IRS is keeping a tax credit secret from them. Social media posts may put taxpayers in touch with scammers.


*

Phishing and smishing: The IRS frequently warns against phishing emails and smishing texts, which are common tactics used by criminals to steal personal and financial information. The impersonator wants taxpayers to send them money. Opening links and attachments may harm their computer.


*

Scams targeting seniors: Scammers target people over age 65 or nearing retirement for personal or financial information or money. Often, once seniors give them money, the scammers ask for more. When scammers trick them to withdraw from their retirement account, it could affect their taxes.


*

Cyberattacks on businesses and tax professionals: The IRS reminds tax professionals of their legal obligation to have a Written Information Security Plan [ [link removed] ] and to use multi-factor authentication. Businesses are also advised to update their security measures and remain vigilant against cyberattacks.

Taxpayers can get an identity protection PIN [ [link removed] ] (IP PIN) from the IRS. An IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using a taxpayer’s Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. If taxpayers don't already have an IP PIN, they may get an IP PIN as a proactive step to protect themselves from tax-related identity theft. Anyone with an SSN or an ITIN can get an IP PIN including individuals living abroad.

Back to top [ #top ]

________________________________________________________________________

*4.  Report data breaches*

________________________________________________________________________

Even a careful, prepared tax professional may fall victim to a data breach. If that happens, tax professionals need to immediately take action [ [link removed] ] to protect their clients and their business.

The tax preparer should report client data theft to their IRS stakeholder liaison [ [link removed] ]. The liaison will notify IRS Criminal Investigation and others within the agency on the tax professional's behalf. If reported quickly, the IRS can take steps to block fraudulent returns in clients' names. After a tax professional reports the data breach, an IRS data breach team member will contact the tax professional for information.

The IRS will deactivate the tax professional’s EFIN to prevent criminals from using it to file tax returns. Contact the IRS e-Help desk at 1-866-255-0654 to request a new EFIN.

After reporting a data breach, tax professionals should remain alert for any anomalies. They should monitor their PTIN, CAF number and new EFIN for misuse.

Though tax professionals should contact their stakeholder liaison as quickly as possible after seeing signs of a breach, they should not direct their clients to contact the stakeholder liaison. Refer clients to the IRS Identity theft guide for individuals [ [link removed] ] or Identity theft information for businesses [ [link removed] ].

Here are steps tax professionals should take in advance of the filing season:


*

Implement multifactor authentication for access to the operational technology (OT) network whenever applicable.


*

If the tax professional requires remote access, implement a firewall and/or virtual private network (VPN) in front of the programmable logic controller (PLC) to control network access. A VPN or gateway device can enable multifactor authentication for remote access even if the PLC doesn’t support multifactor authentication.


*

Create strong backups of the logic and configurations to enable fast recovery.


*

Keep software updated with the latest versions by the manufacturer.

Red flags of a possible data breach include:


*

Slow or unexpected computer or network responsiveness such as:


*

Software is slow or actions take longer to process than usual.


*

Computer cursor moves or changes numbers without touching the mouse or keyboard.


*

Unexpectedly being locked out of a network or computer.


*

Client tax returns are being rejected because their Social Security number was already used on another return.


*

Clients receive IRS authentication letters (5071C, 6331C, 4883C, 5747C) even though a tax return wasn’t filed.


*

Getting more e-file receipt acknowledgements than the tax professional filed.


*

The IRS disabled the tax professional’s online account.


*

Transcripts delivered to the tax professional’s Secure Object Repository that they did not order.


*

Notification from the IRS that the tax professional’s Centralized Authorized File number has been compromised.


*

Notification from the IRS regarding a client that they do not represent.

Back to top [ #top ]

________________________________________________________________________

                              FaceBook Logo [ [link removed] ]  YouTube Logo [ [link removed] ]  Instagram Logo [ [link removed] ]  Twitter Logo [ [link removed] ]  LinkedIn Logo [ [link removed] ]________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for subscribing to e-News for Tax Professionals an IRS e-mail service.

If you have a specific concern about your client's tax situation, call the IRS Practitioner Priority Service 1-866-860-4259.

This message was distributed automatically from the mailing list e-News for Tax Professionals. *Please Do Not Reply To This Message *

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from another list, please go to the e-News Subscriptions [ [link removed] ] page on the IRS Web site.





Useful Links:

IRS.gov [ [link removed] ]

Tax Professionals Home [ [link removed] ]

All Forms and Instructions [ [link removed] ]

Stakeholders Partners' [ [link removed] ]
Headliners [ [link removed] ]

Training and [ [link removed] ]
Communication Tools [ [link removed] ]

e-Services [ [link removed] ]

Taxpayer Advocate Service [ [link removed] ]

Disaster Relief [ [link removed] ]

Internal Revenue Bulletins [ [link removed] ]

IRS Social Media [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Events

Seminars, Workshops, Conferences, and Other Practitioner Activities By State:

Nationwide Webinars [ [link removed] ]

Alabama [ [link removed] ]
Alaska [ [link removed] ]
Arizona [ [link removed] ]
Arkansas [ [link removed] ]
California [ [link removed] ]
Colorado [ [link removed] ]
Connecticut [ [link removed] ]
Delaware [ [link removed] ]
District of Columbia [ [link removed] ]
Florida [ [link removed] ]
Georgia [ [link removed] ]
Hawaii [ [link removed] ]
Idaho [ [link removed] ]
Illinois [ [link removed] ]
Indiana [ [link removed] ]
Iowa [ [link removed] ]
Kansas [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Kentucky [ [link removed] ]
Louisiana [ [link removed] ]
Maine [ [link removed] ]
Maryland [ [link removed] ]
Massachusetts [ [link removed] ]
Michigan [ [link removed] ]
Minnesota [ [link removed] ]
Mississippi [ [link removed] ]
Missouri [ [link removed] ]
Montana [ [link removed] ]
Nebraska [ [link removed] ]
Nevada [ [link removed] ]
New Hampshire [ [link removed] ]
New Jersey [ [link removed] ]
New Mexico [ [link removed] ]
New York [ [link removed] ]
North Carolina [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

North Dakota [ [link removed] ]
Ohio [ [link removed] ]
Oklahoma [ [link removed] ]
Oregon [ [link removed] ]
Pennsylvania [ [link removed] ]
Rhode Island [ [link removed] ]
South Carolina [ [link removed] ]
South Dakota [ [link removed] ]
Tennessee [ [link removed] ]
Texas [ [link removed] ]
Utah [ [link removed] ]
Vermont [ [link removed] ]
Virginia [ [link removed] ]
Washington [ [link removed] ]
West Virginia [ [link removed] ]
Wisconsin [ [link removed] ]
Wyoming [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Back to top [ #top ]







/*start reset css*/ div { line-height: 1; } body, table, td, p, a, li, blockquote { -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; } body { -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: none; } table { border-spacing: 0; } table, td { mso-table-lspace: 0pt; mso-table-rspace: 0pt; } img { -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; } body { margin: 0; padding: 0; } img { border: none !important; height: auto; line-height: 1; outline: none; text-decoration: none; } table td { border-collapse: collapse !important; } .preheader { display: none !important; visibility: hidden; opacity: 0; color: transparent; height: 0; width: 0; } /*end reset css*/ a[x-apple-data-detectors] { color: inherit !important; text-decoration: none !important; font-size: inherit !important; font-family: inherit !important; font-weight: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important; } /* Sets the line height in everything but Outlook */ table#yahoo body, table#yahoo p, table#yahoo .gd_p, table#yahoo p span, table#yahoo li, table#yahoo li span { line-height: 1.4; } /* outlook.com line-height control */ .ExternalClass p, .ExternalClass span, .ExternalClass font, .ExternalClass td {line-height: 100%} table#yahoo .govd_template_image { max-width: 100% !important; max-width:100%; } table#yahoo .govd_template_image, table#yahoo .govd_template_image img { height:auto !important; height:auto; } /* Fixed Outlookdotcom and Outlook360 not supporting Hspace - HT 2-12-2020 */ table#yahoo .gd_combo_table img {margin-left:7px; margin-right:7px;} table#yahoo .gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img, table#yahoo .gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} body { font-family: arial; } p { font-size: 12px; } li { font-size: 12px; } h2 { font-size: 24px; font-style: italic;} html body#shared_bulletin #page .account_banner { display: none !important; } @media only screen and (max-device-width: 480px) { table#yahoo, table#yahoo table { position: relative; } table#yahoo .govd_header { max-width: 480px !important; } table#yahoo .govd_hr img, table#yahoo .govd_hr_inner img { display:none !important; } table#yahoo .govd_content_container .govd_image_display { margin-left:0 !important; } table#yahoo .container-fill, table.gd_tbl_wrap, table.gd_tbl_wrap table { max-width: 480px !important; } .main-table, .mobile-footer, .mobile-tagline, table.gd_tbl_wrap, table.gd_tbl_wrap table { width:100% !important; min-width:100% !important; max-width:480px !important; } table#yahoo .tablecell, .tablecell { width:100% !important; display: block !important; max-width:100% !important; min-width: 100% !important; } table#yahoo #main-body .govd_hr {background:transparent none !important;} .mobile-hide {display:none !important;} .mobile-padding {padding:0 !important;} .mobile-columns {padding:10px 20px !important;} }

________________________________________________________________________

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].

This service is provided to you at no charge by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [ [link removed] ].


body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;} ________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] by: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Internal Revenue Service · 1111 Constitution Ave. N.W. · Washington, D.C. 20535 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;}