The 2026 tax filing season officially opened on Monday, as the IRS began allowing taxpayers to start filing their returns for the past year.
IRS officials announced earlier this month that taxpayers may begin filing their 2025 tax returns on Jan. 26. That will give taxpayers more than two months to file their returns ahead of the April 15 deadline to file or request an extension until the fall.
The IRS Free File program began accepting individual tax returns on Jan. 9 for taxpayers who are qualified to use the program by having an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less.
Taxpayers who are planning to prepare their own taxes may begin using the IRS Free File Fillable Forms tool on Jan. 26, and the program is open to all regardless of income level.
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This tax season will see the use of a new form called Schedule 1-A that can be used to claim recently enacted tax deductions, including provisions limiting taxes on tips, overtime, interest on car loans and Social Security recipients.
Taxpayers can access information via their individual online account, which includes information about any balance due, payments made or scheduled, as well as tax records and more.
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They may also enroll children under the age of 18 in a so-called Trump Account, a new type of individual retirement account.
After taxpayers file their return, they will be able to use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool that provides information about refund status – which is generally available about 24 hours after submitting a current-year return via e-filing, or four weeks after filing a paper return.
The enactment of Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) last year included some retroactive changes to tax policies that aim to give eligible taxpayers a break when they file their 2025 returns.
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Under the OBBBA, workers who receive qualified tips can deduct up to an annual maximum of $25,000 and the deduction phases out for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers).
The “no tax on overtime” provision allows individuals who receive eligible overtime compensation to deduct the pay that exceeds their regular pay – which is generally the “half” portion of “time and a half” overtime pay – that is reported on a Form W-2, Form 1099 or other specified statement provided.
The maximum annual deduction is $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) and the deduction phases out for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 (or $300,000 for joint filers). Notably, the deduction is available for itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers.
OBBBA also created a new tax deduction for seniors age 65 and up that allows them to deduct up to $6,000 for single filers and $12,000 for married couples. The tax break starts to phase out at a 6% rate on income over $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for joint filers – phasing out entirely at $175,000 and $250,000, respectively.
The IRS adjusts its tax brackets for single and joint filers for every tax year to account for inflation that would otherwise leave taxpayers owing more due to a phenomenon known as “bracket creep.”
The tax brackets in effect for the 2025 tax year
Tax brackets for single individuals:
- 10%: Taxable income up to $11,925
- 12%: Taxable income over $11,925
- 22%: Taxable income over $48,475
- 24%: Taxable income over $103,350
- 32%: Taxable income over $197,300
- 35%: Taxable income over $250,525
- 37%: Taxable income over $626,350
Tax brackets for joint filers:
- 10%: Taxable income up to $23,850
- 12%: Taxable income over $23,850
- 22%: Taxable income over $96,950
- 24%: Taxable income over $206,700
- 32%: Taxable income over $394,600
- 35%: Taxable income over $501,050
- 37%: Taxable income over $751,600
What they’re saying
Treasury Secretary and Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent said that with some tax policies changing following the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year, the Treasury and the IRS have been “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.”
IRS CEO Frank Bisignano added that the “Internal Revenue Service is ready to help taxpayers meet their tax filing and payment obligations during the 2026 filing season.”
“As always, the IRS workforce remains vigilant and dedicated to their mission to serve the American taxpaying public,” Bisignano continued. “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.”
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