Tax season always comes with a few predictable headaches: Missing forms, last-minute questions and the annual scramble to find every possible deduction. But every year also brings a handful of curveballs.
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GOBankingRates spoke with Ashley Akin, certified public accountant (CPA), tax consultant specializing in tax compliance services, and senior contributor at CEP DC, to discuss a few trends and surprises that are catching people off guard — from unexpected tax refund changes to tax rules that are playing out differently than many taxpayers expected.
If you’re getting ready to file, here are some of the biggest things showing up on returns this year.
Small Details Are Causing Some of the Biggest Tax Surprises This Season
“As we move through busy tax season in early 2026, I’m finishing many 2025 tax returns,” Akin explained. “This year, I’ve seen more surprises than usual.”
She said most tax problems don’t come from big new laws. They come from small details that people miss.
In the past few weeks, three new items have begun to surprise her clients. These three items include home office deductions, crypto reporting and limits to the Child Tax Credit. Each one is another lesson in tax planning.
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Home Office And Crypto Rules Are Still Catching Taxpayers Off Guard
“Many people thought they could still deduct home office expenses,” Akin said.
In the past, she said some workers could claim $5 per square foot for home office space. But today, most W-2 employees cannot deduct home office expenses on their federal tax returns. She added, “Only certain self-employed workers or gig workers may qualify.”
Crypto, Akin noted, has caused a lot of confusion. Many people buy and sell cryptocurrency without realizing that each sale can create a tax bill.
“The IRS says Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are treated like stocks or bonds. So, if you make money from selling Bitcoin you have to report the gain,” according to the CPA.
Income Increases Are Quietly Reducing Some Families’ Child Tax Credits
Akin also specified that many families were surprised by the limits on the Child Tax Credit.
“The credit can be worth up to $2,000 per child. But it starts to go away if your income is over $200,000 for single filers or $400,000 for married couples,” she explained.
She said some families got raises and did not realize their income had crossed the limit.
“It is important to remember to check your income each year,” according to Akin. “This time of year is a good time to look at last year’s income and adjust your withholding through the IRS W-4 form if necessary.”
If taxes are paid through payroll deduction and the first full year of taxes under the new law is improperly assessed, it could be quite expensive if left unchecked.
So, it’s important to do a “tax check-up” each year, and maybe sooner if you have major changes to your income or situation.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a CPA: Here Are the Biggest Surprises I’m Seeing as I File My Clients’ 2025 Returns
