IRS Announces Tax Filing Season Details for 2026

Key Dates and Filing Requirements

The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially announced the commencement of the 2026 tax filing season, with taxpayers required to begin submitting their annual income tax returns starting January 26, 2026. The IRS will directly process these returns as part of their regular operations.

Deadline and Payment Information

The deadline for filing federal tax returns and paying any outstanding taxes is April 15, 2026 for most taxpayers. This gives individuals and businesses approximately two and a half months to prepare and submit their tax documentation. The IRS emphasizes that taxpayers should prepare by accessing their online IRS accounts, which allow for efficient payment processing and access to important tax information.

IRS Preparedness and System Updates

IRS Commissioner Frank Bisignano confirmed that the IRS information systems have been updated to incorporate new tax legislation and are ready to process tax returns efficiently and effectively during the filing season. This preparation comes after initial concerns about potential service disruptions due to previous staff reductions.

Challenges Due to Staff Reductions

The IRS faced challenges following a significant reduction in personnel, with a 17-19% decrease in staff that initially seemed manageable due to exemptions for critical roles. However, the impact became more pronounced during the 2025 tax processing season, which is being conducted in 2026. To mitigate these effects, the IRS is strongly encouraging taxpayers to file their returns online, which will help streamline the process given the limited staff available for manual processing.