When Does the 2026 Tax Season Start? Here Are IRS Deadlines to Know
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Taxes aren't due for another few months, but the IRS announced Thursday that tax season this year will begin Jan. 26. And while most Americans aren't looking forward to the chore of filing taxes, you might be motivated to submit your return a little sooner than usual.
A quick reminder, since the dates can be confusing: What kicks off Jan. 26 is the 2026 tax season for tax year 2025. That is, you'll be paying taxes — or getting a refund on taxes you already paid — on money earned from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 last year.
Over 60% of taxpayers received a refund in 2025, and there could be bigger refunds coming for the roughly 164 million Americans expected to file tax returns this year. According to the Tax Foundation, tax cuts ushered in by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could add $1,000 to the average refund, which the IRS said was $3,167 last year.
Even if you don't itemize your taxes, you might be looking at a bigger refund this year. In its news release, the IRS highlighted a new Schedule 1-A, which taxpayers can use to claim new OBBBA deductions like the additional $6,000 deduction for seniors.
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When are taxes due in 2026?
The deadline to file taxes in 2026 is April 15, but it's best not to wait until the last minute. If you're owed a refund, you'll have that cash in hand sooner; plus, if you need help, you'll be more likely to get that assistance in a timely fashion if you beat the rush.
If you need more time, you can file for an extension using IRS Form 4868, which gives you until Oct. 15 to file your return. Keep in mind, though, that this only gives you more time to file, not to pay. If you owe the IRS and don't pay by April 15, you'll still owe that money in October — plus interest and penalties.
After you file, you can track the status of your refund with the Where's My Refund? online tool or mobile app. You'll need to have on hand your Social Security or taxpayer ID number, filing status and exact amount of your refund.
How to file your taxes for free this year
The IRS announced in November it was eliminating its free Direct File program, but there are still other options available for some taxpayers to file for free starting Jan. 26.
If you're comfortable doing the math and filling everything out yourself, the IRS has free fillable forms you can access online. People who earned $89,000 or less last year can get free guided tax prep through the IRS's Free File program, which it runs in conjunction with for-profit tax prep companies.
If you don't have any earned income, you're not technically required to file a federal tax return, but tax pros advise doing so anyway so you can claim any refundable tax credits for which you're eligible.
Finally, if you've typically gotten your tax refund via a paper check in the mail, heads up: Starting last fall, the IRS began phasing out paper checks, which means the simplest way to get your refund will be via direct deposit. (Don't have a bank account? Now might be a good time to open one. Money's roundups of the best banks and credit unions have plenty of options.)