Every year in the U.S., both private citizens and businesses prepare, file, and review their federal income tax returns. In addition to its impact on the amount of money collected by government agencies, this annual administrative function plays an important part in how people plan their finances. Timely preparation helps avoid errors and ensures smoother processing.
Preparation for filing and electronic tools
On January 26, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service began the 2026 tax filing season, enabling taxpayers to start submitting federal individual income tax returns for the 2025 tax year. According to the IRS, there are approximately 164 million individual tax returns expected to be filed before the federal deadline of April 15, 2026.
Taxpayers are advised to begin collecting all of their relevant financial data prior to filing as soon as possible. These items would typically include forms such as W-2s, 1099s, and documentation regarding deductible expenses, such as investment interest. Collecting and organizing these documents will help minimize errors, streamline processing, and increase the accuracy of the taxpayer’s return.
There are currently multiple web-based tools available to taxpayers on IRS.gov that can assist with managing their tax obligations. Taxpayers can access their IRS Individual Online Account to view their account balance and/or tax transcripts, utilize the Where’s My Refund? tool, or the IRS2Go mobile app to track the status of their refund, review their payment history, and/or estimated tax obligations.
File, refunds, and deadlines
For most taxpayers, e-filing their tax return and selecting direct deposit remains the quickest method for receiving their refund. The IRS estimates that most refunds will be disbursed within 21 days from the date of submission for electronically filed, complete, and accurate returns.
Many low-to-moderate-income families benefit greatly from refundable credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). Pursuant to federal law, the IRS must hold any refunds associated with these credits until at least February 15 for verification purposes. For many qualified refunds submitted electronically with direct deposit, they should be available to taxpayers by March 2, 2026.
Unless the date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the federal income tax filing deadline is April 15, 2026. Taxpayers requiring more time to prepare and file their return can file for a tax extension, which will extend the filing deadline by six months. However, the actual date when taxes owed are due remains April 15. In addition, some individuals and businesses may be required to make quarterly estimated tax payments, particularly those with self-employment income or who have other complex financial situations.
Free filing options, compliance, and modernization
The IRS has numerous free filing options available to qualifying taxpayers:
- Brand-name tax preparation software is offered to taxpayers with an AGI of less than a designated threshold via IRS Free File.
- Free File Fillable Forms enables taxpayers who prefer to complete their tax returns themselves to do so at no cost, regardless of AGI.
- No-cost basic tax return preparation to qualified taxpayers is provided through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.
As recommended by the IRS, taxpayers should consider utilizing a reputable tax preparer and avoid unscrupulous preparers to minimize errors and delays. Additionally, taxpayers who elect to file as soon as possible will minimize the potential of having their tax returns affected by identity theft-related fraud.
The 2026 tax filing season presents an ideal opportunity for taxpayers to evaluate their overall financial planning strategies and verify their compliance with federal tax regulations. It also allows them to maximize their utilization of applicable credits and deductions. As the 2026 filing season progresses, the IRS continues to commit to providing enhanced service capabilities, increased digital tools, and continued enforcement actions to support voluntary compliance and the integrity of the tax system.
