You can usually start filing your federal income taxes in late January, and the main deadline to file is in mid‑April each year, unless you request an extension.

Key 2025 tax season dates (U.S.)

  • For your 2024 federal tax return (filed in 2025), the IRS tax deadline is April 15, 2025.
  • Tax season normally opens in late January , which is when the IRS starts accepting e‑filed returns.
  • If you need more time, you can usually file Form 4868 to get an automatic extension to around October 15 (you still must pay any tax owed by April).

Simple rule of thumb

  • You can file as soon as :
    • The IRS officially opens e‑filing for that year (late January).
* You have all your documents (W‑2s, 1099s, etc.), which employers generally must send by the end of January.
  • You should file no later than :
    • Mid‑April (standard deadline) to avoid late‑filing penalties, unless you have a valid extension.

If you’re outside the U.S. or in another system

Other countries use different start dates and deadlines. For example, Canada’s 2024 personal tax returns can be filed online starting February 24, 2025, with an April 30, 2025 deadline for most people. Always check your local tax authority’s site for exact dates.

TL;DR: You can usually file taxes once the tax agency opens filing in late January and up until the mid‑April deadline, with the option to request an extension in many systems.

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