The IRS has not yet officially announced the exact date it will open the 2026 tax filing season, but it is expected to be in late January 2026 , similar to prior years.

What “IRS opening” means

When people ask “when will the IRS open in 2026,” they usually mean:

  • When the IRS will start accepting and processing 2025 tax returns (the start of the 2026 filing season).
  • When key IRS services (like e‑file and refund processing) are fully live for that filing season.

Historically, this opening date falls in the second half of January , often around January 20–29, but it can shift a bit year to year.

What is known so far for 2026

  • As of very early 2026, major outlets noted that the IRS had not yet issued the official start date for the 2026 tax season.
  • The IRS has been publishing “Get Ready for 2026” reminders, focusing on organizing documents and understanding law changes (like adjustments and provisions from recent legislation) rather than giving a specific opening day.
  • Tax law and inflation adjustments for the 2026 tax year have been outlined, but those relate more to how you’ll be taxed than when the season opens.

What you can reasonably expect

While the exact calendar date is still pending, you can safely expect:

  • E‑file and general processing to start sometime in late January 2026.
  • The filing deadline for 2025 returns (filed in 2026) to be around April 15, 2026 , unless adjusted for weekends/holidays or special situations.

Tax software companies will typically allow you to prepare your return earlier, then queue and submit it as soon as the IRS systems go live.

How to get the exact date

To find the precise “open” date as soon as it is published:

  • Check the IRS Newsroom page for the press release announcing the start of the 2026 filing season (look for an “IR‑2026‑xx” style news release about tax season opening).
  • Visit the IRS “Get Ready” or “File your taxes” pages, which are updated with current‑season timing and links.
  • Watch reputable tax resources (large tax software providers or major news outlets) that quickly report when the IRS confirms the date.

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