Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, shares his predictions and insights for the upcoming 2026 tax season. From refunds to IRS service levels, here’s what taxpayers can expect. Hot Take #1: Tax Refunds Will refunds go up or down this year? While some expect increases, Phil’s take is that refunds will likely stay about […]
Ask Phil: IRS Says No More Refund Checks???
Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, answers a common question: “Is the IRS really going to stop sending refund checks?” The short answer is partially yes. As of September 30, 2025, the IRS moved away from issuing paper refund checks, pushing taxpayers toward digital payments instead. Most Taxpayers Won’t Notice a Change About 94% […]
Ask Phil: IRS Direct File Is Gone — Here’s What You Can Use Instead
Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, addresses a growing concern: Is the IRS Direct File program going away in 2026? The answer is yes—IRS Direct File, which allowed certain taxpayers to file for free, has officially been discontinued and is not available for the 2026 tax season. What This Means for Taxpayers While this change may […]
Ask Phil: Is All My Debt Included When I File For Bankruptcy?
Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, answers another tax question from Reddit. This time, the topic is bankruptcy and how tax debt is treated during the process. The taxpayer in this scenario has a $25,000 tax debt with the IRS and is currently on an installment agreement. However, when reviewing […]
Ask Phil: Ready for the 2026 Tax Season?
Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, breaks down what you need to know to get ready for the 2026 tax season. The IRS has already started its “Get Ready” reminders, and being proactive now can help you avoid penalties, interest, and unnecessary stress. Gather and Organize Your Documents Start early by […]
Ask Phil: What is a CSED?
Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, answers a Reddit question about CSEDs: “If my CSED is 11/15/25, does it expire at the beginning or end of the month?” To get there, he breaks down what a Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED) actually is and how the IRS calculates it. What the CSED Really Is […]