January 27, 2026

Tax Season Begins, US-India Form Working Group To Dismantle Illegal Drug Trafficking, Update On Border Wall Construction, And More

By S.E. Gunn, PhD - All News Pipeline

On January 26, 2026, the White House published the article President Trump Delivers Largest Tax Refund Season in U.S. History estimating the average tax refund to be $3,800 this tax year (2025) up from $3,052 in 2024 and up from $3,004 in 2023. The article reminds us that every democrat in Congress was against these tax cuts (although a few of them finally voted for it so the legislation passed).

The article cites USA TODAY, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, and CNBC all saying this year people will see larger tax returns. The article cites No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Social Security, a deduction for auto loan interest on Made-in-America vehicles as the primary reasons for the increased tax refunds for the 2025 tax year. Of course, if you don't receive tips, are retired but not on Social Security, and did not buy a Made-in-America vehicle last year, you won't see any of these special deductions. However, if you are over 65, you may be able to claim an additional $6,000 senior deduction if your income is less than $75,000.

The IRS announced that the 2025 tax filing season opened on January 26, 2026 and has a webpage devoted to online tools & resources to assist you in filing this year's tax forms. Of course, many employers and other businesses do not have to have your tax paperwork to you until Feb 1, so few people will be able to file before then. The IRS reminds everyone that President Trump signed the "no cash allowed" EO 14247 Modernizing Payments to and from America’s Bank Account (discussed in my May 3, 2025 ANP Article) and they highly recommend you open a bank account if you don't already have one because the phasing out of paper checks began September 30, 2025. However, options for refunding to prepaid debit cards, digital wallets, or limited exceptions will be available if you do not have a bank account. The IRS noted that last year, 93% of refunds were made via direct deposit to the taxpayer's bank account with the remaining 7% receiving their refund by check. Be aware that EO 14247 also applies to those who need to PAY taxes as well. 

On January 26, 2026, the White House published the article Inaugural Meeting of the U.S.-India Drug Policy Executive Working Group announcing that the US hosted this meeting January 20-21, 2026 to strengthen security cooperation and eradicating narco-terrorism. Both the US and India agree that the drug crisis is now a core national security issue; they both support cooperation to dismantle illegal production and trafficking of illicit drugs (and their precursor chemicals); and supporting a whole-of-government approach to these efforts. The goal of this working group is a safer and healthier future for both nations.

The Layoff Tracker 2026 – Recent Layoffs update: There have been no updates to the Layoff Tracker since January 22, 2026.

President Trump's Presidential Actions published in the Federal Register (FR): There have been no updates to the FR since January 26, 2026.

LAWFARE lawsuit tracker: There have been no updates to the LAWFARE Tracker since January 20, 2026.

On January 26, 2026, US Border Patrol Chief Michael W Banks posted an update on the progress of completing the Border Wall along the US-Mexico border. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt notes that this is delivering on yet another of President Trump's campaign promises. Chief Banks writes:

And let's not forget that President Barack Hussein Obama awarded a medal to Mr. Tom Homan in 2016 (our current Border Czar) for his work deporting illegal aliens.