National tax preparer associations urge IRS to prepare for complex 2026 filing season
The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), joined by three other leading national tax-preparer organizations, is calling on the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to take swift action to prevent delays, errors and confusion in the 2026 tax filing season.
The coalition warns that without urgent attention to key systems and guidance, the IRS may not be fully prepared to support a smooth filing season.
In a formal letter sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, NATP, the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), National Society of Tax Professionals (NSTP) and the National Society of Accountants (NSA) outlined eight urgent areas where IRS readiness must be strengthened.
“Our members are preparing for a complex season,” said Scott Artman, CPA, CGMA, CEO of NATP. “They need finalized guidance, functional systems and timely answers, not chaos.”
“Our ability to serve millions of American taxpayers depends on clear, final guidance and reliable access to IRS systems,” the letter states. “We cannot deliver compliance or confidence without the tools to do so.”
What’s needed before filing season begins
The letter calls on the IRS and Treasury to prioritize the following readiness measures:
- Timely, final guidance for recent tax legislation, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
- Finalized and approved forms, instructions, and software specs
- Full staffing of help lines and practitioner support channels
- Modernized technology access for e-file, transcript delivery, and secure portals
- Clarity around new credits and deductions to prevent return errors
- Communication strategy to support taxpayers and preparers
- Avoidance of late-year policy shifts that undermine planning
- Real-time testing and system availability ahead of filing
The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) is the largest nonprofit organization that works exclusively for tax professionals. We serve members through education, advocacy and community, providing the tools they need to navigate the tax code and the insights the media can trust.
Looking for a tax expert? Tom O’Saben, EA, director of tax content and government relations at NATP, is available for phone or video interviews to discuss federal tax topics, including tax law change and its implications, taxpayer issues, tax preparer regulation and more. To schedule an interview with O’Saben, contact [email protected] or [email protected].