For the 2026 tax filing season, the IRS has not yet announced an official opening date for when it will begin accepting 2025 individual tax returns.

What “IRS opening” usually means

When people ask “when does the IRS open 2026,” they are usually referring to:

  • The date the IRS begins accepting and processing e‑filed and paper individual tax returns for the 2025 tax year (the start of the 2026 filing season).
  • The general business hours for IRS phone assistance and Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), which tend to be similar year to year.

In recent years, the IRS filing season has typically opened in the second half of January (for example, January 27, 2025 for the 2025 filing season), but the exact 2026 date will only be known once the IRS issues a formal news release.

Likely timing for the 2026 filing season

While the exact 2026 opening date is not published yet, past patterns give a reasonable expectation:

  • Recent seasons: the IRS has opened filing in late January (often the last Monday of January) to allow time for system updates and testing.
  • Unless Congress passes late-year tax changes or there are major system overhauls, the 2026 filing season will likely start around late January 2026 , but this is only an educated estimate until the IRS confirms it.

Because dates can shift due to legislation, system changes, or emergencies, the official date will always come from an IRS announcement, not from third‑party estimates.

How to find the official 2026 start date

To get the exact “when does the IRS open 2026” answer once it exists:

  • Check the IRS Newsroom page, where the agency posts its annual “IRS announces start to [year] tax filing season” press release.
  • Look for language like “IRS announces Jan. XX start to 2026 tax filing season” in those statements; that date is the formal opening day for e‑filed and paper returns.
  • Many reputable tax educators and news outlets will echo that date after it appears, but the IRS site is the definitive source.

IRS hours vs. tax season open

If by “open” you mean IRS working hours in 2026 rather than filing season:

  • Phone assistance for individuals is commonly Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time , a schedule that has stayed fairly consistent.
  • Local Taxpayer Assistance Centers are typically open Monday–Friday, around 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , with occasional extended or Saturday hours during tax season in some locations.

These hours can vary by office and may change, so checking the IRS’s “Contact” or TAC appointment pages closer to your visit is recommended.

Quick Scoop (forum‑style summary)

People asking “when does the IRS open 2026” are really asking when the 2026 filing season starts for 2025 returns. There is no official date yet , but if recent years are any guide, expect a late‑January 2026 start—subject to formal confirmation from the IRS.

For now, the best move is to get documents and prior‑year info organized, then watch the IRS Newsroom in late 2025 or very early January 2026 for the exact announcement.

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Wondering when does the IRS open 2026? The IRS has not yet announced the 2026 filing season start date, but recent patterns point to late January. Learn what to watch and where to check the latest news.

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