REPORT: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans Would Rather Spend Time at the DMV to Renew Driver’s License than File Taxes

FEBRUARY 18, 2026 – AUSTIN – Invoice Home, a leading invoice template software designed to meet the invoicing needs of small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs worldwide, today released its 2nd annual “U.S. Tax Filing” Report. The survey uncovers American’s current perception of tax filing for this year, particularly highlighting their lack of confidence and the financial strain surrounding tax season. Conducted with third-party research firm Censuswide, data also suggested hesitancies towards using AI, with 63% of respondents NOT trusting AI vs. a tax professional.

When it comes to timing, Americans are split – half (50%) of tax filers plan to file their taxes as soon as they receive their W2. That said, only 2 in 5 (42%) of respondents are confident in themselves to file their taxes correctly this year, showing nearly no improvements since 2025 (41%).

That number becomes even more alarming for the youngest generation of tax filers with only two thirds of Gen Z (33%) and Millennials (36%) reporting their confidence. Those who aren’t sure of themselves would go great lengths to avoid filing, saying they’d rather do the following than file their own taxes because they’re not confident in doing so: 

“We continue to see a lack of confidence for nearly half of respondents when filing their taxes each year,” said Petr Marek, Co-Founder and CEO of Invoice Home. “Most Americans only engage with their taxes once a year, and it’s a high stress situation surrounded by fear of making a costly mistake. Building confidence starts with preparing throughout the year and leaning on tools and experts to help with the overall process.” 

In 2026, nearly 2 in 5 (37%) of American tax filers would consider trusting AI to file their taxes this year over hiring a tax professional, a 14% decrease from 2025 (43%). This willingness varies by generation as stated by 40% of Gen X, 50% of Millennials and 46% of Gen Z respondents. 

This shouldn’t come as a surprise as AI continues to make a name for itself at the same time many Americans are struggling financially to stay afloat. This is especially true for the younger generations – in fact, 1 in 4 (24%) of Gen Z and 1 in 5 (21%) of Millennial respondents say they’ll delay filing their taxes in this year because they’re worried they might owe money to the government. 1 in 5 (21%) of Gen Z are relying on their tax return to cover their cost-of-living expenses the month they file, and if they don’t receive the tax refund they were expecting, they: 

Last year, many Gen Zers leaned on delayed payments to afford even basic necessities. Over one-third (36%) of Gen Z said they used Buy Now, Pay Later services to spread out payments within the past year. As the BNPL industry kicks off 2026 with even more options to stretch out payments, including offering renters flexible options to pay over time as well as after-purchase BNPL options, it’s clear there is a bigger financial struggle than just filing taxes.

“1 in 5 Gen Z tax filers report that they may need to borrow money if their refund is smaller than

expected, suggesting a broader issue around cash flow management, financial planning, and income unpredictability. Tax season has become a financial stress test, and not the refund windfall from years’ past,” said Marek. “Seeking out better digital tools, financial education, and support, tax filers can be better prepared not just for tax season but throughout the year.

Looking ahead, while nearly 3 in 10 (28%) don’t plan on doing anything to manage their finances differently in 2026 beyond day-to-day lifestyle adjustments, others are looking to outside support. This includes investing in digital tools (29%), seeking support from AI (24%), relying on ChatGPT for financial advice (24%) and hiring a financial planner/advisor for the first time (22%).

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from Censuswide. Total sample size was 2,003 US consumers who file their taxes. Fieldwork was undertaken between January 2-6, 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all U.S. adults age 18+. 

Founded in 2011, Invoice Home is a comprehensive invoicing platform and invoice template software, simplifying the invoicing needs of small businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs worldwide by offering over 100 customizable, multi-lingual templates and online payment integrations, all in a unique and user-friendly interface.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas and trusted by 12 million customers in more than 150+ countries and territories, Invoice Home is the leading invoice generator for business professionals. Visit Invoice Home online to learn more and follow on LinkedIn and Facebook.

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