The IRS has not yet officially announced the exact opening date for the 2026 tax season (for filing 2025 returns).

Quick Scoop

  • The 2026 filing season start date is still undecided by the IRS.
  • The IRS usually starts accepting returns in late January , but 2026 may be different.
  • Public comments by the IRS commissioner sparked speculation about a mid‑February start, around Presidents Day, but the agency later clarified that no official date has been set.

What’s Being Talked About

Some tax pros and news outlets have picked up on remarks from IRS Commissioner Billy Long suggesting the 2026 filing season “should start around Presidents Day,” which would be mid‑February 2026. However, the IRS later stated by email that the start date is not yet determined , so those comments are best viewed as anticipation, not a final decision.

What To Expect Based On Recent Years

  • In recent years, the IRS has opened tax season in late January , with the 2025 tax season (for 2024 returns) starting January 27, 2025.
  • Some tax guides for 2026 still describe tax season broadly as beginning in “late January,” while acknowledging that the official 2026 start date has not been announced yet.

Practical Advice For Now

  • Plan for a possible later-than-usual start (around mid‑February 2026), but be ready in case the IRS manages to open earlier.
  • You can still gather documents, organize records, and prepare your return ahead of time so you can file as soon as e‑filing opens.
  • The most reliable place to see the official opening date will be the IRS Newsroom page, where they post a dedicated release each year announcing when they start accepting returns.

Bottom Line (2026 Tax Season)

  • There is no official IRS opening date yet for the 2026 tax season.
  • Early chatter points to mid‑February 2026 , but that is not confirmed.
  • Check the IRS Newsroom periodically in late 2025 and early January 2026 for the final announcement.

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