A new year brings new goals and resolutions — and for many, the question: “When can you file taxes in 2026?”

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has not yet announced the official start date for 2025 tax returns, but past years suggest that the 2026 filing season will likely begin during the last full week of January.

According to The Economic Times, this year’s filing season comes amid heightened financial pressures, including inflation, elevated interest rates, global uncertainty, and tariffs. However, these factors won’t directly affect filing deadlines.

Preparation Is Key

Regardless of when the filing season begins, taxpayers can get a head start by collecting their documents to avoid delays and errors.

The most important documents to collect early are W-2 forms, which employers and financial institutions must send to employees by Jan. 31, 2026, per The Economic Times. Freelancers and independent contractors will need Form 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC, which report various types of non-wage income. Those will also be sent out by Jan. 31.

In addition to this year’s documents, taxpayers will need their dependents’ Social Security Numbers, childcare expenses, student loan interest forms, and health insurance documents handy.

The IRS recommends waiting until all income documents are received before filing to avoid issues later, including amended returns or delayed refunds.

Reviewing the updated IRS guidance on credits, deductions, and eligibility rules posted each year on its official website is also recommended.

2026 Tax Rules

The 2026 filing season includes several updates following recent legislation. Significant changes include new deductions for tip income, overtime pay, and car loan interest, as well as expanded tax breaks for seniors age 65 and older, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.

In most cases, the IRS is also phasing out paper checks, meaning taxpayers will need a bank account and direct deposit information to receive refunds. For those without a bank account, prepaid debit cards or digital wallets are available options but on a restricted basis.

E-filing with direct deposit remains the quickest and safest way to file, allowing most taxpayers to receive their refunds within 21 days. Paper returns can take several weeks or even months to process, especially during peak filing season.

Returns that include credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which benefits low- and moderate-income households, and the Additional Child Tax Credit typically face delays and go out in mid-February to meet fraud prevention rules.

When Is The Deadline To File?

For most individual filers, the deadline to submit returns or request an extension is April 15 each year, as AFROTECH™ noted. Individuals who can’t meet this date must submit a request to receive an automatic extension, which pushes the deadline to Oct. 15.

It’s important to note that an extension to file applies only to the return itself, and any owed taxes remain due by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.

Even though the IRS hasn’t announced the 2026 filing deadline, it’s never too early to get started — helping ensure a smoother process for you and your household.