You can usually start doing your taxes in early January, but you can’t actually file them until the IRS opens tax season, which for the 2025 season (covering your 2024 income) was January 27, 2025.

Key dates in plain English

  • You can begin gathering documents and preparing your return as soon as you have your forms (W‑2s, 1099s, etc.), typically through January.
  • The IRS opened e‑filing and began accepting 2024 returns on January 27, 2025.
  • The regular deadline to file 2024 federal returns was April 15, 2025, for most calendar‑year filers.

“How early can I actually file?”

  • The earliest you can officially file is the first day the IRS accepts returns (late January; January 27, 2025 for that tax season).
  • Many people use tax software to complete everything a bit earlier and then submit as soon as the season opens.

Why filing early can help

  • Faster potential refund because your return gets in the queue sooner.
  • Less risk of last‑minute errors and reduced stress before the April deadline.

What if I’m not ready by April?

  • You can request an extension (for 2024 returns, that moved the filing deadline to October 15), but any tax owed still had to be paid by the April due date to avoid interest and certain penalties.

Simple rule of thumb

  • Start preparing as soon as your forms arrive in January.
  • Plan to file as soon as the IRS opens e‑filing (late January) and no later than Tax Day in mid‑April, unless you request an extension.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.