Tax Questions Surge as Americans File Under New Rules for the First Time, New JustAnswer Data Shows

Confusion around reporting gig work, freelance income, and new deductions drives record-high question volume on JustAnswer

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Americans are heading into tax season with more income streams and more confusion over changing tax rules than ever before, according to new data from online expert platform JustAnswer. An analysis of nearly 23,000 tax-related questions received on JustAnswer to date this year - the first filing season since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act - revealed that the single biggest driver of growth is income reporting, particularly related to freelance work, 1099 income and digital payments. Deduction-related questions are also climbing sharply, particularly around the standard deduction and newer rule changes. Retirement and cryptocurrency remain steady areas of interest but are no longer the primary growth drivers.

Why it matters

The first filing season under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, combined with an explosion of gig and freelance income, is generating record-breaking question volume on JustAnswer, signaling one of the most engaged and uncertain early filing seasons in recent years. This highlights the challenges taxpayers are facing as they navigate new tax rules and report income from diverse sources.

The details

The analysis of nearly 23,000 tax-related questions received on JustAnswer revealed that the single biggest driver of growth is income reporting, particularly related to freelance work, 1099 income and digital payments. Questions tied to income sources more than doubled from last year (+118% YOY), making it the dominant theme. Much of the confusion traces back to years of shifting IRS rules around digital payment reporting, thresholds that changed, were delayed, then reversed - leaving many taxpayers unsure what to expect. Deduction-related questions are also climbing sharply, particularly around the standard deduction and newer rule changes, with heavy interest emerging around so-called "no tax on overtime" provisions. Retirement-related questions and cryptocurrency remain consistent but showed flat-to-slightly negative growth compared to early 2025.

  • In both 2024 and 2025, the final two weeks before the IRS filing deadline (April 1–15) generated dramatically higher tax question volume than early season baseline (January 15–31).
  • In 2024, the volume increased by 228% (more than 3x higher).
  • In 2025, the volume increased by 143% (nearly 2.5x higher).

The players

JustAnswer

An online expert platform that connects people with licensed, verified professionals for real-time help, 24/7.

Joel Salas

A JustAnswer Tax Expert.

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What they’re saying

“The big shift here isn't that taxes got harder this year; it's that more Americans have a paycheck and a side hustle, with money flowing through different applications and second businesses. That's where reporting mistakes happen.”

— Joel Salas, JustAnswer Tax Expert (JustAnswer)

The takeaway

The surge in tax-related questions on JustAnswer highlights the challenges taxpayers are facing as they navigate new tax rules and report income from diverse sources, including gig work and freelance earnings. This signals a need for clearer guidance and education to help Americans successfully file their taxes under the new system.