Ask the Editor, March 27: Questions on the Tax Filing Season

Each week in our Ask the Editor series, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter editor, answers questions on topics submitted by readers. This week, she's looking at four questions on the IRS and how the 2026 tax filing season is going so far. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Tax Letter or subscribe.)

1. Calling the IRS

Question: I have been trying to reach the IRS on its main toll-free number (800-829-1040), but I can't reach a live person. Is this the norm?

Joy Taylor: Yes. Unfortunately, taxpayers and tax professionals are having a difficult time trying to reach the IRS by telephone. The agency just doesn't have enough workers to handle the volume of calls. So there are a lot of disconnects, and the wait times are very long.

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I was recently in a meeting with an individual who was on hold with the IRS's main 1-800 number for 91 minutes before she got disconnected. She never was able to speak with a live person.

If you have a question on whether you qualify for a specific tax break or other type of tax law query, you might try using the IRS's interactive tax assistant online tool. All you need to do is enter some basic facts, and it will give you an answer. There are nearly 60 topics, including whether you need to file a tax return, who qualifies as dependents, exceptions to the 10% excise tax on early IRA distributions, amended returns and much more.

2. Delayed paper refund checks

Question: I am a tax return preparer, and I have filed returns for clients without bank accounts. These clients are now receiving letters from the IRS asking them to provide bank account information so that the IRS can deposit their refunds directly into their bank accounts. Is this normal?

Joy Taylor: Unfortunately, yes. It's part of the IRS's process of phasing out paper refund checks in accordance with President Trump's March 2025 executive order.

Individuals who are requesting paper refund checks when filing their Form 1040 are seeing their refunds delayed. The IRS is mailing letters to filers whose 1040s claim a refund but omit bank account details for direct deposit. These notices ask the filers to supply their bank account account information within 30 days or say why they can’t. Nonresponders will eventually get refund checks by mail, but they’ll have to wait at least six weeks past the 30 days until they see their money.

As of mid-March, the IRS mailed more than 1 million of these notices to taxpayers.

3. Finding a tax return preparer

Question: I am looking for someone to help me prepare my Form 1040. Do you have any thoughts on where I should look to find a reputable tax preparer?

Joy Taylor: You probably want a credentialed tax return preparer, meaning someone vetted by the IRS, a state or a regulatory board. The most common are CPAs, lawyers and enrolled agents. One way to find a credentialed preparer near you is to use the IRS's online Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. It lists the following tax professionals who have active preparer tax identification numbers:

• CPAs
• Lawyers
• Enrolled Agents
• People who completed the requirements for the IRS's voluntary annual filing-season program

4. IRS online individual accounts

Question: I have heard a lot lately about IRS online individual accounts. Can you explain what they are and how to create one?

Joy Taylor: Yes. Individuals can sign up for an online IRS account that could make their tax dealings with IRS easier and faster, many tax professionals say. Among the features of these accounts:

• Pay estimated taxes
• Access tax transcripts and other records
• View digital notices from the IRS
• Check the status of your tax refund or a filed amended return
• Make tax remittances
• Apply for a payment plan if you owe back taxes to the IRS

The IRS has a web page for setting up an online account for individuals. Note that before you create the account, you will first need to have an ID.me account so that the IRS can verify your identity. You will have to either submit a photo of your government ID and a selfie or participate in a live video chat with an ID.me representative. The process can be a bit burdensome, but it does add extra security.

About Ask the Editor, Tax Edition

Subscribers of The Kiplinger Tax Letter, The Kiplinger Letter and The Kiplinger Retirement Report can ask Joy questions about tax topics. You'll find full details of how to submit questions in each publication. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Tax Letter, The Kiplinger Letter or The Kiplinger Retirement Report.

We have already received many questions from readers on topics related to tax changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill, retirement accounts and more. We will continue to answer these in future Ask the Editor roundups. So keep those questions coming!

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