The IRS will start accepting 2025 tax returns on Jan. 26, marking the official start of the 2026 tax filing season
ByFATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press
January 8, 2026, 11: 26 AM
WASHINGTON — Jan. 26 marks the official start date of the 2026 tax filing season, when the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns. April 15 is the filing deadline.
Tax experts, including the IRS’ independent watchdog, have warned that this year’s filing season could be hampered by the loss of tens of thousands of tax collection workers who left the agency through planned layoffs and buyouts spurred by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The IRS will also be responsible for implementing major provisions of Republicans’ tax and spending package signed into law last summer. Several provisions in the law retroactively affect the 2025 tax year, likely leading to more questions from taxpayers and requiring the IRS to update tax forms.
“President Trump is committed to the taxpayers of this country and improving upon