01/12/2026
2026 Tax Filing Season Start
The IRS has announced that the individual federal tax filing season for the 2025 tax year will begin on January 26, 2026. The current deadline to file 2025 federal income tax returns and pay any taxes owed is April 15, 2026, unless an extension is requested or a taxpayer qualifies for additional relief.
Although IRS systems typically open for electronic processing on the official start date, taxpayers do not need to wait until then to begin preparing their returns. You can gather documents, organize income and deduction records, and even complete your tax return in advance so it is ready to file as soon as the IRS begins accepting submissions. Starting early may help reduce errors, speed up refunds, and provide more time to address unexpected issues, such as missing forms or questions about eligibility for credits and deductions.