What to know at start of 2026 tax season, including new possible deductions, scam warningCHICAGO (WLS) -- Here's what to know at the start of the 2026 tax season. "So, if you're a parent, the child tax credit increase to $2,200 per dependent, child under 17. "For instance, the earned income tax credit, that's a substantial credit for a family with three kids. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication so thieves can't access your tax filing software. You can also qualify for free tax filing through the IRS, TurboTax and other tax software services.