Expert Financial Planning & Tax Insights by Reynald Pamittan

The IRS is heading into the 2026 filing season with roughly 19% fewer staff than 2021 levels, about 19,000 employees short, raising concerns about slower refunds, longer wait times, and reduced fraud-catching reviews. Backlogs in unprocessed returns and correspondence were already elevated heading into the season, and modernization efforts like AI-based case management aren't expected to fully offset the shortage. Filing electronically with direct deposit and using tools like "Where's My Refund?" remain the best ways for taxpayers to minimize delays. Read More

A former IRS leader shares five common pitfalls that can slow refund processing or trigger notices this filing season: rushing to file before all documents are in hand, misunderstanding new "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" provisions, trusting viral social media tax "shortcuts," relying on AI answers without professional context, and hesitating to seek help from a qualified preparer. With IRS staffing down and backlogs already elevated, avoiding these errors is more important than ever for a smooth 2026 filing season. Read More