Tips on How to Get an Early Start on Your Taxes

Filing your tax returns as early as possible has several advantages. If you are getting a refund, the sooner you file, the sooner you will receive your refund.

E-filing as early as possible also minimizes the window that criminals have to steal your identity and file a tax return in your name. The IRS will only accept one tax return through e-filing as the original return.

If you have concerns about tax-related identity theft, consider getting an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS to make it more difficult.

A third advantage is that if you’re a natural procrastinator, it allows you to gradually work on the process. That way, you can return to it. I know taxpayers who consistently file a year or two late, often because they simply don’t get around to it. It even happens when taxpayers expect a refund. 

Be Organized 

Have a system for collecting the information and documents used to file your tax return. This may include both electronic and physical methods. I already have a folder labeled “2025 taxes” on my computer, as well as a physical folder.

Any items I receive for tax year 2026 that may impact my 2026 tax return will be included. The tax documents I receive for this tax season (2025) are for the tax year 2025 and are filed in the 2025 folders, which already contain a number of documents. 

Collect documents that may have a tax impact but normally don’t. Most taxpayers don’t itemize, so they often aren’t able to claim a deduction for charitable contributions.

I always advise my clients to maintain documentation of contributions, as well as any other deductions that have been made in the past but are no longer applicable (such as business expenses as an employee). This is because the tax law can change retroactively.

Have a Checklist

You can often get a good checklist from your tax professional, if you have one, or from the tax software company you use for DIY tax preparation. It is a good idea to customize your checklist. I recommend including enough detail that, if you aren’t tracking the documents daily, you can still easily identify what isn’t ready for tax preparation.

For instance, if there are 3 W-2s expected, instead of having “3 W-2s” on your checklist, have (as an example): Sandy’s Bakery W-2, Widget Factory W-2, and Tim’s Bait Shop W-2. This way, you can easily identify which documents have not yet been received.

A great place to keep this checklist is where you store your tax documents and other necessary information to prepare your tax return. 

One good practice for tax preparation checklists is to include a date by which you typically receive the document. If you normally get a 1099-B from ABC brokerage by February 15 and you don’t receive it by then, you’ll know it is time to check on it. 

A great baseline for this checklist is the prior year’s tax return and tax documents.

Online Access to Documents 

When possible, maintain online access to your tax documents and ensure you know how to access them. This can be difficult when you leave a job or switch financial institutions. It is essential to ensure that organizations have a current address for you before you leave or change jobs.

If possible, update them when you move as well. Also, be sure to forward your mail when you move.

Typically, you can still have documents mailed and maintain online access if you would like. 

Review Tax Changes While Waiting for Documents

Reviewing tax changes is particularly important if you prepare your own taxes. For those with a tax professional, it may be good enough to use a search engine and read a few articles. It is wise to contact your tax professional once or twice outside of tax season to ask if there are any new developments for which you should prepare. 

For DIY tax preparation, you should go further than your favorite internet search engine. I recommend two methods to see what has changed, both of which are provided by the IRS.

The first is to read the “What’s New” section of IRS instructions and publications that apply to you. For individual taxpayers, this means the 1040 Instructions and Pub 17 at a minimum. Taxpayers with more complex tax situations may also want to consult other IRS instructions and publications for additional guidance. 

A second method to review tax changes is to visit the IRS Newsroom. There is a long list of news and updates there. Plus, if you want news all year, you can subscribe to the IRS newsletters that interest you. 

Research Anything New to You While Waiting for Documents

Researching can be a good idea for both DIY tax preparation and when working with a tax professional. For DIY tax preparation, most DIYers are comfortable handling the same tax situation year after year.

However, if you have a new tax situation, it can be beneficial to review the tax software and IRS instructions/publications while waiting for all your tax documentation. This allows you to spend time ensuring you understand the proper way to handle this new situation and to complete your tax return more quickly once you receive all your documents.

A simple example is when you open a taxable brokerage account for the first time. There is a good chance that a 1099-B will be one of the last documents you are waiting to receive. Exploring what a 1099-B looks like, how to read it, and how to apply it to your tax software before you receive it will be beneficial.

For DIY Tax Preparers: Check Out Software While Waiting for Documents

It can be helpful to check out the software you plan to use for your tax preparation in advance. Even if it is the same software you used the previous year, there may be changes. It is good to understand what your tax software can and cannot do.

Familiarity with this software can help limit errors and expedite the tax preparation process. 

For DIY Tax Preparers: Start Tax Preparation While Waiting for the Documents

In some cases, DIY tax preparation can be time-consuming. The more you can accomplish while waiting for the last document, the quicker it will be to complete once you receive it.

A word of caution here, though. Whenever you step away from tax preparation before it is finished, ensure you know exactly what was completed when you return to it. Also, when you decide you are ready to file, conduct a thorough review to ensure that nothing has been missed.

When I step away from my own tax return (or client returns), I write down notes and I highlight docs that have been entered, so I can easily see where I left off. 

A Final Word

While there are very good reasons to file your tax returns as early as possible, it is also essential to get them done correctly. Don’t rush to get that refund at the expense of accuracy.

Getting your tax returns done correctly is better than rushing to complete them quickly. It’s best to avoid penalties and interest whenever possible.

Meet the Author

Jerry Zeigler

Jerry Zeigler is an Accredited Financial Counselor® and an Enrolled Agent who represents taxpayers before the IRS. Zeigler is a 20 year U.S. Navy submarine veteran and military spouse – so he has...

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