The 2026 tax filing season will start on Jan. 26, according to the IRS.
Taxpayers have until April 15 to file their 2025 tax returns and pay any tax due, the IRS said in a statement. The agency said it expects to receive about 164 million individual income tax returns this year, with most taxpayers filing electronically.
“Prior to the passage of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, which delivered working families tax cuts, Treasury and IRS were diligently preparing to update forms and processes for the benefit of hardworking Americans, and I am confident in our ability to deliver results and drive growth for businesses and consumers alike,” Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent said in the statement.
Former acting IRS Commissioner Billy Long said earlier this year that he anticipated a delay to the tax filing season until February due to changes that needed to be implemented related to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
IRS.gov has online tools and resources taxpayers can use before, during and after filing their federal tax return, the IRS said, adding that the One Big Beautiful Bill Provisions page provides information "that could help lower tax bills and potentially increase refund amounts."
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith said Monday in a statement that "Americans are projected to receive $91 billion in additional tax refunds as a part of an expected record $370 billion refund season — a 26% increase over last year."
Under the just-released Senate Appropriations bill, the IRS' enforcement funding is cut by $439 million to just under $5 billion, while the bill increases funding for taxpayer services by $256 million, to $3 billion.
The appropriations bill provides the IRS with "direct hiring authorities" for positions to process backlogged tax returns and return information, as well as funding for 1-800 help line services for taxpayers. The bill also directs the commissioner to make improving phone service a priority and to enhance response times.
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