You can usually start your U.S. federal taxes in late January , when the IRS officially opens tax season and begins accepting e‑filed returns for the year.

Key dates at a glance

  • The IRS typically starts accepting returns in the last half of January (for example, January 27, 2025, for that tax season).
  • For a given tax year, the filing deadline is usually April 15 of the following year (for 2025 taxes, that’s April 15, 2026).
  • If you request an extension, you can often file as late as October 15 , but you still need to pay any taxes owed by April 15 to avoid interest and some penalties.

When you can start in practice

You can get ready before the IRS opens by:

  1. Gathering documents (W‑2s, 1099s, interest/dividend statements, etc.).
  1. Entering everything into tax software or preparing paper forms; the software will queue your return and submit it as soon as the IRS starts accepting returns.
  1. Filing as soon as you have all required forms and the IRS is open, which can help you get your refund earlier and reduce the risk of identity‑theft tax fraud.

Country differences

If you’re outside the U.S. , the “start date” depends on your country’s tax agency:

  • Canada (CRA): The online filing system for a tax year generally opens late February (for example, February 24, 2025, as the earliest day to file 2024 taxes online).
  • UK (HMRC): Online self‑assessment for a tax year typically opens soon after the tax year ends (6 April), and the main deadline is usually the following January 31.

If you share your country (and whether you’re employed, self‑employed, or both), a more precise window can be given for exact dates that apply to you.

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