The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the official start date for the 2026 tax filing season.
The deadline to file and pay any taxes owed remains April 15, 2026.
Taxpayers who need additional time can request a six-month extension, giving them until Oct. 15, 2026, to submit their returns without penalties. However, any amount owed must still be paid by the April due date to avoid interest and late-payment fees.
The IRS said it expects to receive roughly 164 million individual returns this year, similar to last year's figure, with most being filed electronically.
Refunds are typically issued in less than three weeks for taxpayers who do opt to file electronically, but can take longer if a return requires correction or additional review. Refunds for mailed returns can take up to six weeks.
Some changes may impact tax refunds, including life events such as buying a home or losing a job, which may establish eligibility for certain tax benefits.
"The Internal Revenue Service is ready to help taxpayers meet their tax filing and payment obligations during the 2026 filing season," IRS CEO Frank Bisignano said Thursday.
"As always, the IRS workforce remains vigilant and dedicated to their mission to serve the American taxpaying public. At the same time, IRS information systems have been updated to incorporate the new tax laws and are ready to efficiently and effectively process taxpayer returns during the filing season."
The law introduced several new tax breaks, such as a $12,500 deduction for qualified tip income and an additional $6,000 deduction for eligible seniors.