IRS Schedules Tax Professional Awareness Week for October 2026

What the IRS Announced

On October 16, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service announced Tax Professional Awareness Week, scheduled for the week of October 19, 2026. The initiative highlights training resources, webinars, instructional videos and guidance aimed at helping tax professionals prepare for the 2027 filing season.

The week emphasizes accurate return preparation, protection of taxpayer information and support for taxpayer service. Content will address due diligence requirements, common errors and available IRS tools.

Key Resources and Events

Featured activities include an October 21, 2026, webinar titled “How Much Do You Know About Refundable Credits,” presented by IRS subject matter experts. Additional materials will cover Taxpayer Advocate Service resources, the Paid Preparer’s Due Diligence Checklist on Form 8867, Schedule C reporting pitfalls and navigation of IRS.gov educational tools.

Other topics expected during the week include identity theft prevention, cybersecurity best practices, payment modernization, the Automatic Exemption from Penalty, Saver’s Match, Trump Accounts and additional filing season priorities. Resources on the Tax Pro Account and related services will also be highlighted.

Tax professionals should check the dedicated IRS.gov page for registration details, exact schedules and any updates, as the full list of content may expand.

Verification Steps Before Relying on the Resources

Before using any webinar, video or tip, tax professionals need to verify that the information matches their current client base, practice area and the latest IRS rules. Refundable credit guidance, for example, requires confirming eligibility criteria, documentation standards and any phase-outs that may apply for tax year 2026 returns filed in 2027.

Similarly, due diligence checklists and Schedule C error avoidance materials should be cross-checked against the most recent form instructions and regulations, which can change. Cybersecurity and identity theft resources are general; each firm must evaluate whether its own systems and procedures meet current standards.

Readers should also confirm whether topics such as Saver’s Match or Trump Accounts remain in effect for the relevant tax years and understand any geographic, income or other limitations. The IRS notes that additional resources will be posted on IRS.gov throughout the year, so checking for updates is essential.

Questions Tax Professionals Should Ask

Key verification questions include: Does this credit or tool apply to my clients’ specific circumstances? Has any referenced law or procedure been updated since the material was prepared? Are the due diligence steps shown on the instructional videos the current IRS expectation for the 2027 filing season?

Professionals should also determine whether the Tax Pro Account features described meet their practice needs and whether registration for the October 21 webinar is still open. Confirming these details directly on IRS.gov helps avoid acting on information that may not fit a particular situation.

Considering Private Tax Resolution Needs

While Tax Professional Awareness Week focuses on filing season preparation and compliance resources, some tax professionals may encounter clients who already face unresolved tax debts or compliance issues outside the scope of these tools. Republic Tax Relief offers a free, no-obligation initial consultation to individuals and businesses regarding private tax-resolution services for IRS or state tax matters; interested professionals can ask the firm about suitability, scope, fees and availability of help communicating with the IRS.