WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced that Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, will mark the opening of the nation’s 2026 tax filing season. Taxpayers will have until Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to file their 2025 federal income tax returns and pay any taxes due.
The IRS expects to receive approximately 164 million individual income tax returns this year, with the majority filed electronically. Several provisions of the recently enacted One, Big, Beautiful Bill take effect this filing season and may affect taxes, credits, and deductions for many taxpayers.
IRS.gov offers a wide range of online tools and resources to help taxpayers prepare, file, and track their returns. The One, Big, Beautiful Provisions section on IRS.gov provides information designed to help taxpayers lower their tax bills and potentially increase refunds.
“President Trump is committed to the taxpayers of this country and improving upon the successful tax filing season in 2025,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent. “Treasury and IRS prepared extensively to update forms and processes following passage of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, which delivered tax cuts for working families. We are confident in our ability to deliver results and drive growth for businesses and consumers alike.”
“The Internal Revenue Service is ready to help taxpayers meet their filing and payment obligations during the 2026 filing season,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano. “IRS systems have been updated to incorporate new tax laws, and our workforce remains dedicated to serving the American taxpaying public.”
Key Tools and Updates for the 2026 Filing Season
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IRS Individual Online Account: Taxpayers can securely access balance information, payment history, tax records, and more.
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New Schedule 1-A: This new schedule allows taxpayers to claim recently enacted deductions, including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on car loan interest, and an enhanced deduction for seniors.
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Trump Accounts: Parents, guardians, and other authorized individuals may establish a new type of individual retirement account for children. More information is available at trumpaccounts.gov.
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Direct Deposit Encouraged: The IRS strongly encourages taxpayers to open a bank account to receive refunds via direct deposit, as the agency continues to phase out paper refund checks under the executive order Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account.
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Forms 1099-K and 1099-DA: Taxpayers receiving Form 1099-K (Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions) or Form 1099-DA (Digital Assets) should review IRS guidance. All taxable income must be reported, even if a form is not received.
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Where’s My Refund?: Refund status is generally available within 24 hours after e-filing or about four weeks after filing a paper return.
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Scam Awareness: IRS.gov provides resources to help taxpayers prevent, report, and recover from tax scams and identity theft.
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Choosing a Tax Preparer: IRS guidance is available to help taxpayers select reputable tax professionals and avoid unethical preparers.
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Taxpayer Assistance Centers: Taxpayers are encouraged to use IRS.gov first. Appointments are available at local Taxpayer Assistance Centers if in-person help is needed.
Free Filing and Assistance Options
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IRS Free File: Available for qualified taxpayers beginning Friday, Jan. 9.
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Free File Fillable Forms: Open to all taxpayers starting Jan. 26, regardless of income.
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MilTax: Free tax preparation and e-filing for eligible military members and veterans through the Department of Defense.
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IRS-Certified Volunteers: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs provide free basic tax preparation to eligible individuals.
For more information about the 2026 filing season, taxpayers are encouraged to visit IRS.gov.
