Below you'll find the top 10 taxation trends for 2026, spotted by Rising Trends's trend radar algorithm.
These topics were detected from online sources including TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Reddit, news outlets, and Google Search data. Each trend has at least 1,000+ monthly searches and over 20% year-over-year growth.
All taxation trends with over 20% year-over-year growth, ranked by search volume.
| # | Topic | 5Y Trend | Search Vol. | Growth 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rmd | 110,000 | +22% | |
| 2 | No Tax On Tips | 33,100 | +513% | |
| 3 | Qualified Charitable Distribution | 27,100 | +22% | |
| 4 | Powerball After Taxes Calculator | 18,100 | +524% | |
| 5 | Lottery Payout Calculator | 12,100 | +22% | |
| 6 | Split Pay | 9,900 | +241% | |
| 7 | Overtime Tax Credit | 9,900 | +99X | |
| 8 | Income Tax India | 8,100 | +50% | |
| 9 | Cook County Property Tax Payment | 8,100 | +406% | |
| 10 | La Property Tax Payment | 4,400 | +22% |
Showing top 10 of 10 taxation trends
| Trend | Market Size | Growth | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Tax Planning | ~$8.2B | ~9% CAGR | Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard |
| DIY Tax Filing | ~$14.5B | ~6% CAGR | Intuit, H&R Block, TaxAct |
| Property Tax Relief | ~$12B+ | +406% YoY | State Programs, Counties |
| Windfall Tax Calculators | ~$1.2B | +524% YoY | USAMega, LotteryUSA |
| AI Tax Technology | ~$3.8B | ~18% CAGR | Intuit Academy, SPRX |
| Crypto Tax Compliance | ~$1.5B | ~22% CAGR | CoinLedger, Koinly, CoinTracker |
CAGR = compound annual growth rate
To dive deeper into the methodology behind identifying these trends, check out our comprehensive guide on Google Trends for market research which shows how we analyzed search data to spot these emerging patterns.
As baby boomers reach retirement age in record numbers, tax-efficient withdrawal strategies are dominating search trends. "Required minimum distribution calculator" commands an extraordinary 165,000 monthly searches, while "RMD" has grown +22% year-over-year to 110,000 searches and "qualified charitable distribution" is up +22% with 27,100 searches.
The massive wealth transfer underway is forcing millions to learn tax rules they never needed to know before.
Retirement tax planning has surged because:
The retirement tax planning market is projected to reach $8.2 billion by 2028, with digital calculators and planning tools growing fastest.
Required Minimum Distribution Calculator (165,000 searches) – Tools helping retirees calculate mandatory annual withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k)s starting at age 73. Essential for avoiding the 25% penalty on missed distributions.
RMD (110,000 searches, +22% YoY) – Required Minimum Distributions trending due to legislative changes affecting penalties and starting ages. Critical for retirement planning and tax obligation management.
Qualified Charitable Distribution (27,100 searches, +22% YoY) – Tax-free transfers from IRAs directly to charities for donors 70½ or older, up to $105,000 in 2024. Satisfies RMDs while reducing taxable income.
Roth Conversion Calculator (9,900 searches) – Tools helping taxpayers calculate implications of converting traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs, paying taxes now for tax-free growth later.
Retirement Planning (60,500 searches) – Comprehensive financial preparation for retirement trending due to increased life expectancies and the need for long-term financial security.
Self-service tax preparation continues to dominate. "Intuit" commands 201,000 monthly searches as the market leader, "tax refund estimator" reaches 135,000 searches, and "tax preparation near me" maintains 49,500 searches while "free tax filing" and "file taxes free" each show 18,100 searches.
The complexity of tax code meets the simplicity of software—and consumers are increasingly confident filing on their own.
DIY tax filing has grown because:
The DIY tax preparation market is projected to reach $14.5 billion by 2028, with mobile and AI-assisted filing growing fastest.
Intuit (201,000 searches) – The financial software giant behind TurboTax and QuickBooks. Dominant market position despite controversies over service practices.
Tax Refund Estimator (135,000 searches) – Tools calculating expected refunds or liabilities based on income, deductions, and credits. Essential for financial planning before filing.
Tax Preparation Near Me (49,500 searches) – Local tax professionals including CPAs, enrolled agents, and IRS-certified volunteers. Still preferred by those with complex situations.
Free Tax Filing (18,100 searches) – The IRS Free File Program allowing eligible taxpayers with AGI under $73,000 to prepare and e-file federal taxes at no cost.
TurboTax Advance (12,100 searches) – Loan service allowing taxpayers to access up to $4,000 of anticipated refunds with no fees or interest during tax season.
Rising home values have created property tax pain, driving searches for relief programs. "Cook County property tax payment" has exploded +406% year-over-year with 8,100 searches, "ANCHOR benefit" maintains 33,100 searches for New Jersey's relief program, and "property tax payment" reaches 18,100 searches.
Homeowners are desperately seeking ways to reduce tax burdens that have outpaced income growth.
Property tax relief searches have surged because:
Property tax relief programs distribute over $12 billion annually across various state and local initiatives.
Cook County Property Tax Payment (8,100 searches, +406% YoY) – Illinois' most populous county with two annual installments. Delays and increases have created significant homeowner concern, especially in south suburbs.
ANCHOR Benefit (33,100 searches) – New Jersey's property tax relief program providing up to $1,750 for homeowners and $700 for renters based on income eligibility.
Property Tax Payment (18,100 searches) – General searches for managing local property tax obligations. Average U.S. homeowner pays approximately $2,459 annually.
LA Property Tax Payment (4,400 searches, +22% YoY) – Los Angeles County property tax management overseen by the Assessor. Homeowners seeking to understand payment methods and deadlines.
Record-breaking lottery jackpots have driven massive interest in after-tax calculations. "Powerball after taxes calculator" has surged +524% year-over-year with 18,100 monthly searches, "lottery payout calculator" is up +22% with 12,100 searches, and "Mega Millions jackpot analysis" maintains 9,900 searches.
When jackpots exceed $1 billion, millions of Americans suddenly need to understand windfall taxation.
Windfall tax calculator interest has exploded because:
The lottery industry generates over $100 billion annually in ticket sales, with jackpot publicity driving calculator searches.
Powerball After Taxes Calculator (18,100 searches, +524% YoY) – Tools calculating net winnings after federal and state tax deductions. Critical for understanding actual take-home amounts from jackpots.
Lottery Payout Calculator (12,100 searches, +22% YoY) – Calculators factoring in taxes, lump sum vs. annuity options, and state-specific rates to show realistic winnings.
Mega Millions Jackpot Analysis (9,900 searches) – Detailed breakdowns of potential payouts focusing on payment structures and tax implications. Annuity payments spread over 30 years vs. immediate cash option.
Mega Million Annuity Calculator (1,000 searches) – Specialized tools for understanding the 30-year annuity payment schedule and its tax advantages over lump sum.
Artificial intelligence is transforming tax preparation and compliance. "Intuit Academy" has grown +50% year-over-year with 22,200 monthly searches, "SPRX" (AI R&D tax credits) is up +82% with 1,600 searches, and "receipt management app" has surged +129% with 480 searches.
AI is making tax expertise accessible to everyone—from gig workers organizing receipts to corporations maximizing R&D credits.
AI tax technology has accelerated because:
The AI in tax preparation market is projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2028, with enterprise and consumer applications both growing rapidly.
Intuit Academy (22,200 searches, +50% YoY) – Online training platform offering free courses in tax preparation and bookkeeping, including a Bookkeeping Professional Certificate via Coursera.
SPRX (1,600 searches, +82% YoY) – AI technology provider for corporate R&D tax credits. Automates identification of eligible R&D activities to maximize tax incentives.
Receipt Management App (480 searches, +129% YoY) – AI-driven tools capturing receipt data via OCR for expense tracking and tax preparation. Essential for freelancers and small business owners.
AI Accounting Software (1,300 searches) – Platforms using machine learning and predictive analytics to automate financial management, improve accuracy, and enhance fraud detection.
Dave Ramsey Tax Software (320 searches, +52% YoY) – Ramsey SmartTax powered by TaxSlayer, designed for affordability and alignment with Dave Ramsey's financial principles.
Digital asset taxation has matured into a significant compliance category. "CoinLedger" maintains 4,400 monthly searches as a leading platform, "crypto tax software" reaches 2,900 searches, and "crypto report" shows ongoing interest at 70 searches as IRS reporting requirements expand.
What started as a niche concern is now mainstream—every crypto holder needs to understand their tax obligations.
Crypto tax compliance has grown because:
The crypto tax software market is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2028, driven by regulatory expansion and mainstream adoption.
CoinLedger (4,400 searches) – Formerly CryptoTrader.Tax, a platform for digital asset management, tax reporting, and portfolio tracking across the Web3 ecosystem.
Crypto Tax Software (2,900 searches) – Automated tools managing and reporting cryptocurrency transactions for accurate calculations and compliance with IRS requirements.
Crypto Report (70 searches) – Documentation of digital asset transactions for tax and compliance purposes. Critical as IRS increases scrutiny of crypto activities.
The taxation landscape in 2026 reflects a fundamental shift toward self-service, automation, and specialization. Whether it's retirees navigating RMD calculators with 165,000 monthly searches, homeowners seeking property tax relief with +406% growth, lottery dreamers using Powerball calculators up +524%, or crypto holders managing compliance obligations, the common thread is technology empowering taxpayers to understand and optimize their obligations.
The companies winning in this environment share key traits:
For entrepreneurs and investors, the data points to several high-growth opportunities: retirement tax planning tools for the boomer wave, AI-powered receipt and expense management, property tax appeal services, and crypto tax compliance for the expanding digital asset market.
The $300+ billion tax preparation industry is being transformed by self-service technology and artificial intelligence—and the search trends show exactly where that transformation is accelerating fastest.
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