For the 2025 tax year filed in 2026, the IRS is still expected to start accepting individual federal returns in late January 2026, similar to prior years, though the exact calendar date has not yet been formally set.

Key timing for 2026 (U.S.)

  • Historically, the IRS opens eā€‘file in the second half of January, and current professional guidance for 2026 still assumes a ā€œlate Januaryā€ start, pending final IRS confirmation.
  • Some tax advisory sources discussing 2026 deadlines focus on due dates rather than open dates, but they likewise reference a normal lateā€‘January opening unless IRS operational issues force a short delay.

When are taxes due in 2026?

  • For the 2025 tax year, individual federal returns are scheduled to be due in midā€‘April 2026 (the standard April filing deadline for most taxpayers, absent weekend/holiday shifts or special disaster relief).
  • Extensions will still allow filing later in the year if properly requested, but any balance due generally must be paid by the April deadline to avoid extra interest and penalties.

Why the exact ā€œacceptingā€ date might move

  • Commentary about the 2026 filing season notes that IRS system reā€‘programming, staffing cuts, and implementation of new 2025ā€‘year tax law changes could put pressure on the normal timetable and potentially nudge the opening a bit later than usual.
  • Even in those scenarios, tax professionals expect the service to aim for a lateā€‘January start, because a significantly later opening would compress an already tight filing season.

Practical tips while you wait

  • Prepare documents now (Wā€‘2s, 1099s, etc.) so you are ready to file as soon as IRS announces and opens eā€‘file for 2026.
  • Watch for the official IRS news release later this month announcing the exact date when it will begin accepting 2025 returns; tax software providers and preparers will echo that date prominently once it is set.

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