Poll results: tax pro readiness sentiment as season nears

As return filing season approaches, tax professionals are taking stock of what lies ahead. A recent NATP poll of more than 500 tax pros provides an early snapshot of practitioners' preparedness and where uncertainty remains ahead of the IRS's January return acceptance date.

Because responses were collected before filing officially opens, the results don’t reflect completed returns or real-time IRS performance. Instead, it captures where early pressure is building, offering insight into what professionals are watching closely as the season kicks off.

Preparedness is strong, but not universal

Most tax professionals report feeling at least somewhat prepared heading into filing season. 

That’s an encouraging signal, especially given the pace of change tax professionals have navigated in recent years, including provisions tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Still, nearly 25% of respondents report feeling unprepared, underscoring a significant early-season risk.

This gap doesn’t necessarily reflect inexperience. Even seasoned practitioners report spending extra time learning about the new tax laws. With recent legislative changes still settling and compliance expectations continuing to shift, preparedness today often means staying flexible rather than feeling finished.

For many firms, that caution shows up in practical decisions, tweaking workflows where needed, refreshing client organizers and having more explicit conversations about timing before returns begin moving through the system.

Confidence in IRS operational preparedness remains low

The strongest signal in the poll is confidence, or the lack thereof, in the IRS’s readiness for filing season. 

More than 75% of respondents say they are not confident that the IRS is ready yet, while only a small fraction believe the agency is well prepared.

Importantly, this finding reflects expectations, not performance. It doesn’t mean the IRS has failed or that filing season will be derailed. Instead, it highlights uncertainty, particularly around how quickly guidance, forms, systems and services will align with recent changes.

For tax professionals, this uncertainty reinforces the need to focus on what can be controlled. That includes keeping a close eye on updates, building flexibility into filing schedules and helping clients understand that some early-season questions simply won’t have immediate answers.

Communication and guidance matter more than speed

When asked what the IRS should prioritize if it could fix just one issue:

Tax professionals overwhelmingly cited communication and a lack of guidance. Refund delays ranked much lower.

This finding reframes a standard tax season narrative. While refund timing always matters, professionals are more concerned about clarity. When guidance is incomplete or instructions remain in draft form, late updates tend to create more disruption than slower return processing alone.

When rules aren’t clear, tax professionals spend more time searching for answers and documenting the basis for key decisions, while also taking on the added work of explaining uncertainty to clients. That extra time adds pressure during an already-compressed season and increases the risk of errors or amended returns later.

Clear communication, even when the answer is “more guidance is coming,” helps practitioners plan and manage expectations more effectively.

Client expectations contribute to the challenge

Although the poll focused on tax professionals, many responses point to increasing pressure on the client side. Tax headlines and social media coverage, often amplified by political messaging, tend to oversimplify tax changes, leading taxpayers to expect benefits that may be limited in scope or not yet in effect.

As a result, practitioners increasingly find themselves addressing misinformation before meaningful compliance work can begin. That added layer of explanation extends the appointment process and increases frustration, while also pushing tax professionals into the role of interpreter alongside preparer.

Setting expectations early, particularly around timing and required documentation, and being clear about where uncertainty still exists, can help reduce friction later in the season.

Implications heading into filing season

Taken together, the poll suggests a balanced outlook. Most tax professionals feel prepared, but they’re approaching filing season with caution. Confidence in IRS readiness is low, not because of confirmed failures, but because unanswered questions remain. Communication and guidance, not speed alone, are the issues practitioners care about most.

That early-season uncertainty is where proactive education and peer insight have the greatest impact. Staying current as updates emerge and learning how others are navigating similar challenges can help tax professionals move through the season with confidence, even when clarity is still developing. As filing season unfolds, NATP will continue sharing guidance and education to help members manage uncertainty. Connect now to stay informed as filing season takes shape.