What’s Changing in Penalties and Inflation in 2026
The IRS has introduced two major developments aimed at easing taxpayer compliance:
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Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP)—a new system set to replace First Time Abate (FTA) starting summer 2026. If you have timely filed and paid for the past three years (or twelve consecutive quarters for quarterly filers), late filing or payment penalties may be automatically waived. (irs.gov)
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Inflation adjustments under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” (OBBB)—these include increases in standard deductions, foreign earned income exclusion, alternative minimum tax thresholds, estate tax exclusion amounts, and others. (irs.gov)
How AEP Works vs. FTA
| Feature | First Time Abate (FTA) | Automatic Exemption from Penalty (AEP) |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement | Must actively request relief; only once in compliance history | Relief applied automatically if prior compliance criteria met |
| Eligible returns | Single-year filing/payments | Applies to Forms 1040, 1120, 1065, and certain employment/excise returns and deposits forms like 940, 941, etc. (irs.gov) |
| When effective | Current and future years, historically used | Beginning with 2025 tax year returns and 2026 quarterly returns (irs.gov) |
Key Inflation Adjustments to Know
Some of the key amounts indexed for 2026 include:
- Standard deduction: $32,200 for MFJ; $16,100 single; $24,150 head of household (irs.gov)
- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): $132,900 per person (irs.gov)
- Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) exemption: $90,100 for individuals, phasing out threshold at $500,000 (MFJ begins phasing out at $1,000,000) (irs.gov)
- Estate Tax Exclusion: $15,000,000 basic exclusion for estates in 2026 (irs.gov)
Practical Tips for Small Businesses & Individuals
- Small businesses with past good compliance should check if they qualify for AEP to avoid penalty exposure on late returns or payments.
- Use updated standard deductions and FEIE limits to adjust withholding or estimated tax payments accordingly.
- Plan for estate or gift tax implications given the elevated exemption thresholds.
- Revisit payroll practices to accommodate PFML wages and premium claims (see PFML article above).
Example Scenario
Imagine you are a sole proprietor who missed two quarterly estimated payments in 2026, but have filed and paid all tax returns and previous quarterly payments on time for the past three years. Under AEP, you could avoid penalties for those missing payments if eligibility criteria are met. Inflation adjustments could also shift your estimated tax liability upward if you use thresholds based on prior years—not updating could lead to underpayment penalties.
Bottom Line
If you've maintained good compliance, the new AEP safety net can provide peace of mind. Combined with inflation adjustments, staying current with thresholds and limits can simplify tax planning and reduce unnecessary surprises.