The IRS began accepting 2025 tax returns (that is, returns for the 2025 tax year, filed in 2026) on Monday, January 26, 2026, and the regular filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Key 2025 tax season dates

  • IRS opening date for 2025 returns (tax year 2025) : January 26, 2026.
  • Standard filing deadline : April 15, 2026, for most individual taxpayers.
  • Extension deadline : If you file Form 4868 by April 15, 2026, you generally have until October 15, 2026, to file (but any tax owed is still due by April 15).

How this compares to recent years

Recent IRS opening dates for individual e‑filing have typically fallen in the last 10 days of January , which makes the late‑January 2026 opening for 2025 returns very consistent with past practice.

In prior seasons, the IRS has publicly announced the exact opening day in an early‑January news release, and then confirmed that date on its website and through major tax software providers.

Practical tips for filing your 2025 return

  • Gather key documents (W‑2s, 1099s, 1098s, etc.) before the opening date so you can file as soon as e‑file opens, which typically means a faster refund.
  • If you use tax software or a preparer, you can usually have your return ready ahead of time so it transmits automatically once the IRS systems begin accepting 2025 returns.

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