Talking Taxes With a Tax Professional: What's New in 2026 and How to Navigate Filing Season

A tax expert breaks down what's new for the 2026 tax filing season and how to decide between a CPA and DIY software.

What do you actually need to know about filing your 2025 taxes? When is it actually worth hiring a CPA instead of going it alone? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down with Tom O'Saben, and enrolled agent and director of tax content for the National Association of Tax Professionals, to explore what changed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. They discuss new rules around tips, overtime pay, car loan interest deductions, and an expanded SALT deduction that could shift the math on whether itemizing makes sense for you. They also dig into how major life changes like getting married, starting a business, or moving to a new state can create unexpected tax complications — and how to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Plus: the common myths and costly mistakes that show up every year, options if you end up with a surprise tax bill, and what dealing with the IRS directly looks like now that the agency has cut more than a quarter of its staff.

Federal Income Tax Calculator and Refund Estimator 2025-2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/calculators/tax-calculator 

Best Tax Software of 2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/learn/best-tax-software 

IRS Free File: What It Is, How It Works https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/learn/irs-free-file-tax-preparation-help 

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