The IRS will begin accepting and processing 2025 federal individual income tax returns on Monday, January 26, 2026 for the 2026 filing season.

Key 2026 dates

  • IRS opening day: January 26, 2026 – this is when electronic filing officially opens and returns start being accepted.
  • Free File early access: Some IRS Free File options and software may let you prepare and queue your return a bit earlier, but it will not be transmitted to the IRS until opening day.
  • Regular filing deadline: For most calendar-year filers, the due date to file 2025 returns is April 15, 2026.

How this affects your refund

  • If you e-file and choose direct deposit, many refunds are issued within about 10–21 days after IRS acceptance , assuming no issues and no special credits that slow processing.
  • Early filers who submit as soon as the IRS opens may start seeing refunds in early to mid-February 2026.

Quick tips for early filers

  • Make sure all W‑2s, 1099s, and other tax forms have arrived before filing to avoid amended returns later.
  • E-file with direct deposit for the fastest processing; paper returns can add several weeks of delay.

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