It’s official. The IRS has finally flipped the switch, and the 2025 tax filing season is officially underway. If you’ve been sitting on a pile of W-2s or 1099s, the wait is over. As of Monday, January 26, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service is officially accepting and processing 2024 tax returns.
Honestly, it feels like it comes faster every year. One minute you're finishing the holidays, and the next, you're hunting for that one specific receipt from last July. But for those expecting a refund, this date is the most important one on the calendar. Filing early isn't just about getting it over with; it's about getting your money back before the mid-April rush slows everything down.
The Big Dates You Can't Ignore
The IRS usually sticks to a pretty tight window. This year, they opened the gates for everyone on January 26, though some people got a head start. If you use IRS Free File, that actually opened up back on January 9. It’s a bit of a "soft launch" where the software companies hold onto your return and then blast it to the IRS the moment the official systems go live.
You've got until Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to get everything submitted. If you live in a disaster area—like parts of the southeast hit by those late-season storms—you might have a different deadline, but for most of us, April 15 is the "drop-dead" date.
Don't wait until the last minute. Seriously.
👉 See also: Share Market Today Closed: Why the Benchmarks Slipped and What You Should Do Now
The IRS expects to handle about 164 million individual returns this year. That is a massive amount of data. When you wait until April, you're competing with millions of other procrastinators, and that's usually when the phone lines get jammed and the processing times start to creep up.
What’s Different This Year? (The "One Big Beautiful Bill" Impact)
There's been a lot of chatter about the new tax laws. Last summer, the government passed what some are calling the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBBA), and it actually changed quite a few things for your 2024 returns.
The biggest change most people will notice is the Standard Deduction. It got a massive bump. For single filers, it's now $15,750. If you're married filing jointly, it jumped to $31,500. That’s a significant increase from last year, basically meaning more of your money stays in your pocket before the IRS even looks at it.
There are also some new forms to look out for.
✨ Don't miss: Where Did Dow Close Today: Why the Market is Stalling Near 50,000
- Schedule 1-A: This is new. It’s for claiming deductions on things like tips, overtime, and interest on car loans. If you work in the service industry, this is huge.
- Form 1099-K: If you sold stuff on eBay or took payments via Venmo, the threshold is still a bit of a moving target, but the IRS is looking for anything over $20,000 in 200 transactions for the 2024 tax year.
- Form 4136: If you're claiming the fuel tax credit, heads up—the IRS won't even accept these until February 15, 2026. If you try to file early with this form, your return might just bounce back.
Where Did Direct File Go?
You might remember the Direct File pilot program from last year. It was the IRS's attempt at making a "government-run TurboTax." Well, it’s gone. For the 2026 filing season, the program was discontinued.
It’s kind of a bummer for people who liked filing directly with the feds, but the Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee argued the IRS didn't have the legal "okay" to keep it running permanently. So, if you were planning on using that, you’ll need to pivot back to Free File or a paid service.
When Will I Actually Get My Refund?
This is the only question most people care about.
If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, the IRS usually sticks to the 21-day rule. Basically, you should see the money in your account within three weeks. If you file a paper return... well, good luck. That can take six to eight weeks, or even longer if there's a typo.
🔗 Read more: Reading a Crude Oil Barrel Price Chart Without Losing Your Mind
Important Note: The IRS is phasing out paper checks. Starting this year, they are strongly pushing everyone toward electronic transfers. If you don't provide banking info, you might face a much longer wait for a physical check.
If you’re claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), don’t expect your refund before late February. By law (the PATH Act), the IRS cannot issue these refunds early. They use that extra time to double-check for fraud, which is annoying but helps prevent your identity from being stolen.
How to Track Your Money
Once you hit "submit," the anxiety usually sets in. The best way to keep tabs on things is the "Where’s My Refund?" tool on the IRS website.
- Wait 24 hours after e-filing.
- Have your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount ready.
- Check it once a day (it only updates once every 24 hours anyway).
Practical Next Steps
- Gather your forms: Don't guess. Wait for the actual W-2s and 1099s to arrive in your mail or inbox.
- Check your ITIN: If you use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and haven't used it on a return in the last three years, it expired on December 31. You’ll need to renew it before you file.
- Decide on a filing method: If your AGI is $89,000 or less, use IRS Free File. It’s literally free software from big names like TaxSlayer or H&R Block.
- Bank account ready: Make sure you have your routing and account numbers handy. Paper checks are basically dinosaurs at this point.
The IRS has been hiring like crazy and updating their tech, so hopefully, this season is smoother than the last few. Just get your documents in order, take advantage of the higher standard deduction, and get that return in early to beat the rush.