IRS Tax Tip 2026-43: Summer fun has begun: How common activities could impact the next tax return

Issue Number: Tax Tip 2026-43

Summer fun has begun: How common activities could impact the next tax return 

Summer hasn’t officially started, but summertime events and happenings certainly have. Most people aren’t thinking about taxes when there’s summer fun to be had, but there’s some common activities that could impact taxpayers in the next filing season. Let’s look at a few.

Summer day camp
If a taxpayer is sending a child to summer day camp, the cost may count toward the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

Marriage
Summer is peak wedding season. Newlyweds can make their tax filing easier by taking two simple steps now:

• First, report any name change to the Social Security Administration.
• Next, notify the United States Postal Service, employers and the IRS of any address change. To officially change their mailing address with the IRS, taxpayers must complete and submit Form 8822, Change of Address. See page 2 of the form for detailed instructions.

Part-time/seasonal work
Summer seasonal and part-time workers may not earn enough to owe federal income tax, but they’re encouraged to file a tax return in the next filing season to get any refund they may be owed. Part-time and seasonal workers can visit IRS.gov to learn more about who should file a tax return.

Some taxpayers earn income over the summer through a side hustle or doing gig work. They can visit the Gig economy tax center at IRS.gov to learn how participating in the gig economy can affect their taxes. If taxpayers are paid through payment apps for goods and services during the year, they may receive an IRS Form 1099-K for those transactions. For more information, go to IRS.gov/1099k.

Travel
Most kids may have the summer off, but parents generally don’t – and business travel happens year-round. Tax deductions are available for certain people who travel away from their home or main place of work for business reasons. Whether a business traveler is away for a few nights or all summer long, it’s important for them to remember the tax rules related to business travel.

Summer vacations are also something that should be considered, depending on how they are paid for. Taxpayers that sell digital assets to pay for a summer trip might get a 1099-DA, so keep good records.

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