when does tax filing start

The IRS will start accepting and processing 2025 federal individual income tax returns on January 26, 2026 , which is the official start of the 2026 tax filing season in the U.S. The regular federal filing deadline for most taxpayers is April 15, 2026.

Key 2026 tax season dates

• Start of federal tax filing season (IRS opens e‑file): January 26, 2026.

• IRS Free File and many tax software providers start preparing/holding returns in early January, before the IRS opens, but they transmit to the IRS on or after January 26.

• Usual federal deadline to file 2025 returns (or request an extension): April 15, 2026 , unless moved for weekends/holidays or local disaster relief.

Quick Scoop (what this means for you)

• You can start getting ready now (gather W‑2s, 1099s, receipts) and even complete your return in software before January 26; it will simply be queued until the IRS opens.

• Filing earlier in the season often means:
  • Faster refunds.
  • More time to fix any rejected return issues.
  • Lower risk of identity thieves trying to file before you.

U.S. vs. other countries

If you are outside the U.S. , your tax filing start dates and deadlines can be very different:

• In Canada , personal tax returns are generally due April 30, but many people and software providers allow you to prepare and NETFILE as soon as the CRA opens e‑file, which is typically in February and may change year to year.

• Other countries have their own windows and online‑filing opening dates, so checking your national tax agency’s current-year page is important.

Simple rule of thumb

• Look for your country’s “tax season start date” announcement each year (often posted in December or early January). For the U.S. 2026 season specifically, remember: January 26, 2026 is when filing really starts.

TL;DR: For U.S. federal taxes, the 2026 tax filing season starts January 26, 2026 , with most returns due April 15, 2026.