Tax season opens in January 2027, when you will file your 2026 tax return. The taxpayers who get the best results — and the least stress — are not the ones who rush in April. They are the ones who start gathering their documents now, in the fall. If you live or run a business in West Palm Beach or anywhere in Palm Beach County, Florida, this checklist will help you walk into tax season ready.
1. Gather your income documents
Start a folder — paper or digital — and add each document as it arrives:
- Form W-2 from every employer you worked for in 2026.
- Forms 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC if you worked as an independent contractor.
- Forms 1099-INT, 1099-DIV or 1099-B for bank interest, dividends and investments.
- Form SSA-1099 if you received Social Security benefits.
- Form 1098 for mortgage interest, and records of property taxes paid.
- Bank statements, retirement account statements (IRA, 401(k)) and any letters the IRS sent you during the year.
Employers must furnish W-2s and 1099-NECs by January 31. In 2027 that date falls on a Sunday, so the deadline moves to Monday, February 1, 2027. If a document has not arrived by mid-February, contact the issuer — do not file without it, because filing with incomplete income is one of the most common causes of IRS notices.
2. Know your 2026 standard deduction
For tax year 2026 — the return you file in 2027 — the IRS standard deduction is:
- $32,200 for married couples filing jointly
- $16,100 for single filers
- $24,150 for heads of household
These figures come from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32. If your deductible expenses (mortgage interest, charitable donations, medical expenses and others) add up to more than your standard deduction, itemizing may save you money. A short review before year-end can tell you which route is better — while there is still time to act.
3. Business owners: close your books before December ends
If you own a business, your tax return is only as good as your bookkeeping. Before the year closes:
- Bring your bookkeeping up to date — do not wait until January.
- Keep business and personal accounts separate, and keep receipts for equipment, vehicles and major expenses.
- Write down your vehicle mileage and any home-office use.
- Review your estimated tax payments so April does not bring a surprise balance due.
Clean books mean a faster, cheaper and more accurate return — and better deductions, because nothing is forgotten.
4. Families and ITIN holders: check your documents early
If you or a family member files with an ITIN, check whether it needs to be renewed and start the renewal (Form W-7) early — renewals take time, and an expired ITIN can delay your refund and certain credits. Gather IDs, birth certificates for dependents and school or medical records that prove where your children lived during the year.
5. Mark the key dates
- February 1, 2027: deadline for employers to furnish W-2 and 1099-NEC forms.
- April 15, 2027: deadline to file your 2026 federal tax return (or request an extension).
Florida has no state income tax, so your focus is your federal return — but if you earned income in another state, you may also have a filing obligation there.
Frequently asked questions
When can I file my 2026 tax return?
The IRS typically opens e-filing in late January 2027. You can prepare everything in advance with your documents ready, so your return goes out as soon as the window opens.
What happens if a W-2 or 1099 is wrong?
Contact the issuer right away and ask for a corrected form (W-2c or a corrected 1099). Do not file with numbers you know are incorrect.
Can Towny Tax help if I own a business or work as a contractor?
Yes. We prepare individual and corporate returns and offer year-round bookkeeping in West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County, so your records stay ready — not just in tax season.
Start now — your first consultation is free
Preparing early is the simplest way to file accurately, claim every deduction you qualify for and avoid last-minute stress. Towny Tax Multiservices LLC serves clients in West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County, Florida, Monday through Sunday, 8 AM – 7 PM.
Call us at (561) 475-7515 or visit our contact page to book your free first consultation — and walk into tax season 2027 ready.
This article is general information, not tax advice for a specific situation. Figures are from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 for tax year 2026.