The 2026 tax filing season starts on Jan. 26, which marks the first day the IRS will accept and process individual tax returns for 2025, the agency announced on Thursday.
Most taxpayers must file federal returns and pay taxes owed by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest. Many also must file state tax returns.
“The Internal Revenue Service is ready to help taxpayers meet their tax filing and payment obligations during the 2026 filing season,” IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano said in a news release.
“IRS information systems have been updated to incorporate the new tax laws and are ready to efficiently and effectively process taxpayer returns during the filing season,” he said.
The IRS announcement comes as the agency navigates the legislative changes enacted via President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” with a smaller workforce after 2025 cuts.
