when is the irs accepting tax returns for 2025
The IRS began accepting 2024 tax year returns (filed in the 2025 tax season) on January 27, 2025. So for the common search phrase “when is the IRS accepting tax returns for 2025,” the practical answer is: the 2025 filing season opened January 27, 2025, and that’s when 2024 returns could first be filed.
Key dates in the 2025 season
- IRS opening date for e‑file: January 27, 2025.
- Regular federal filing deadline: April 15, 2025, for most taxpayers.
- Extension deadline (if you filed Form 4868): October 15, 2025, for most extension filers.
How this fits the phrasing “2025 tax returns”
The phrase “2025 tax returns” confuses a lot of people because:
- The return you filed in calendar year 2025 is actually for the 2024 tax year.
- The IRS and tax pros usually refer to returns by tax year , not the calendar year you file, so they call these “2024 returns filed in the 2025 season.”
If you’re searching this because you just want to know “when can I file my taxes in 2025,” the answer is: you could start e‑filing on January 27, 2025, and you generally had until April 15, 2025, to file on time.
Quick prep tips
- File electronically with direct deposit to get your refund faster; most accurate returns are paid within about 21 days.
- If you know you can’t file by April 15, requesting an extension gives you until about October 15 to submit the return (though any tax owed is still due by April 15).
Meta description (SEO-style):
Wondering when is the IRS accepting tax returns for 2025? The IRS opened the
2025 tax filing season on January 27, 2025, allowing taxpayers to e‑file 2024
federal returns through the usual April 15 deadline.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.