What date will IRS begin accepting returns in 2025?

Asked by: Mrs. Maci Dooley  |  Last update: September 7, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (27 votes)

The IRS (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2025-tax-filing-season-starts-as-irs-begins-accepting-tax-returns-today-taxpayers-have-many-options-for-help) officially begins accepting and processing 2024 federal tax returns (for the 2025 tax season) on Monday, January 27, 2025. Free File software opens earlier in January, but the main processing system starts on this date, with the filing deadline set for April 15, 2025.

What day does the IRS start accepting taxes in 2025?

The IRS Free File program began accepting individual tax returns Jan. 9 for qualified taxpayers. Taxpayers who prepare their own taxes can use IRS Free File Fillable Forms starting Jan. 26, regardless of income.

How early can I file taxes in 2025?

How early can I file my taxes? You can file 2025 taxes as soon as you receive your 2025 tax documents such as a W-2 or 1099 Form, typically in late January 2026. Should I wait to file taxes? There's no benefit to waiting to file your 2025 taxes on Tax Day, April 15, 2026.

What's happening to the IRS in 2025?

A new deduction for qualifying overtime pay is now available, effective in the 2025 tax year. You can deduct up to $12,500 if you're a single filer or up to $25,000 if you're married filing jointly. The deduction begins to phase out once your MAGI hits $150,000 for single filers or $300,000 for joint filers.

How soon is IRS accepting returns?

– The IRS has announced it will start accepting returns as early as Jan. 26, 2026. The coming income tax filing season is only a few weeks away, and there are still a few questions and uncertainties.

IRS Announces 2026 Tax Filing Start Date + Biggest Refunds Ever

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Is the IRS taking longer to process returns in 2025?

While the IRS strives to issue most refunds within 21 days of receiving an electronically filed return, 2025 has seen a noticeable uptick in refund delays. Understanding the reasons behind these delays can help taxpayers set realistic expectations and avoid unnecessary stress.

When did the IRS start accepting refunds?

IRS will start accepting tax returns Jan. 26 for the 2026 tax season. The 2026 tax filing season starts on Jan.

When did the IRS open up in 2025?

IR-2025-08, Jan. 10, 2025 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that the nation's 2025 tax season will start on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, and will feature expanded and enhanced tools to help taxpayers as a result of the agency's historic modernization efforts.

When can I submit my 2025 tax return?

The 2025 Filing Season for individuals opens on 7 July 2025 and covers these major dates: Auto Assessment notices: 7 July 2025 to 20 July 2025. Individual taxpayers: 21July 2025 to 20 October 2025. Provisional taxpayers: 21 July 2025 to 19 January 2026.

What's the earliest I can get my federal tax return?

You can get your federal tax refund earliest by filing electronically (e-filing) with direct deposit, with most refunds arriving in less than 21 days, often within 8 to 15 days if filed right when the IRS starts accepting returns (late January). The fastest way to check status is using the IRS's "Where's My Refund? tool or the IRS2Go app after filing, but remember EITC/ACTC refunds have a mandatory delay until mid-February. 

When can we file taxes in 2025 early?

January 26, 2026 - Tax season begins. This marks when the IRS will begin accepting and processing federal tax returns for the 2025 tax year. February 2, 2026 - Due date for employers to send W-2 forms.

When's the earliest you can do your taxes in 2025?

Filing dates for 2025 taxes

  • February 23, 2026: Earliest day to file your taxes online.
  • April 30, 2026: Deadline to file your taxes.
  • June 15, 2026: Deadline to file your taxes if you or your spouse or common-law partner were self-employed in 2025.

Are taxes being accepted yet in 2025?

If you're hoping to file your 2025 federal income tax return as soon as possible, the first day the IRS will start accepting returns is Monday, January 26, the agency said on Thursday.

What time does the IRS deposit refund 2025?

*Update for the 2025 tax year: The IRS issued more than 9 out of 10 refunds to taxpayers in less than 21 days last year. The same results are expected in 2026.

What IRS updates impact 2025 refunds?

When taxpayers file their 2025 tax. returns in 2026, many will see larger refunds than in recent years. That's due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which reduced individual income taxes for 2025 by an estimated $129 billion. But because the IRS did not adjust withholding.

Why did I get $1400 from the IRS today?

You likely received $1400 from the IRS today as a supplemental payment for the 2021 Economic Impact Payment (EIP3), specifically the Recovery Rebate Credit, for people who missed it by not claiming it or leaving it blank on their 2021 tax return. These are "plus-up" payments for those eligible for the third stimulus but didn't get the full amount, often for dependents or due to income changes, with a deadline to claim it by April 2025 by filing a 2021 return if you hadn't already.

Has the IRS started accepting tax returns?

Yes, the IRS is accepting 2025 tax returns, with the official start of the 2026 filing season being Monday, January 26, 2026, though some specific forms (like Form 4136) have a later start date of February 15, 2026. Taxpayers can file now if they have all their W-2s and 1099s, but refunds won't be issued until the official opening date, and the deadline to file is April 15, 2026. 

How soon will the IRS accept my tax return?

Quick IRS Response: E-filing? Expect the IRS to acknowledge your return within 24 to 48 hours. IRS Refund Timetable: Post-acceptance, the processing time typically unfolds on an IRS-determined schedule. Speedy Refund Delivery: The majority of refunds are dispatched within 21 days of e-file acceptance.

Does IRS forgive after 10 years?

Yes, the IRS generally has a 10-year statute of limitations (Collection Statute Expiration Date or CSED) from the tax assessment date to collect unpaid taxes, meaning the debt usually goes away then; however, this clock can be paused or extended by certain events like filing for bankruptcy, entering installment agreements, or living abroad, and there's no time limit for fraud, says the IRS and tax professionals https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-bill-of-rights-6,.