You can file your 2025 U.S. federal income taxes (the return you file in 2026) starting in late January 2026 , and the main deadline to file is April 15, 2026 for most taxpayers.

Key 2026 tax season dates

  • The IRS typically opens eā€‘filing in the last half of January , and early guidance for the 2026 season suggests a start date around late January 2026 (often in the Jan 20ā€“28 range).
  • For the 2025 tax year, the filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026 for most individual taxpayers.
  • If you request an extension, you can usually file as late as October 15, 2026 , though any tax you owe is still due by April 15.

So, when can you file in 2026?

Think of it in two phases:

  1. Earliest you can file
    • As soon as the IRS opens the season in late January 2026 , you can eā€‘file using tax software or a tax pro.
 * Some tax prep services let you **prepare** your return earlier and then submit it automatically once the IRS starts accepting returns.
  1. Last day to file without extension
    • April 15, 2026 is ā€œTax Dayā€ for 2025 returns in the U.S., not the only day you can file, just the last regular day.

Why filing early can help

  • Faster potential refund and more time to fix any issues if forms are missing or incorrect.
  • Less identityā€‘theft risk, since your return gets to the IRS before someone else can try to file in your name.
  • Less lastā€‘minute stress if there are complications like new credits, multiple income sources, or sideā€‘gig taxes.

Quick note for nonā€‘U.S. readers

If you meant Canada or another country, the dates differ.
For example, Canadaā€™s individual tax filing deadline is typically April 30 , and some 2026ā€‘specific guidance points to eā€‘filing opening in late February for that season.

TL;DR:
Youā€™ll likely be able to file taxes in late January 2026 , and for U.S. 2025 returns, the main deadline is April 15, 2026 , with possible extension to October 15, 2026.

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