The Internal Revenue Service has set the date for accepting federal income tax returns for the 2025 tax year. Taxpayers eager to submit their returns can do so beginning January 26. This marks the official start of the 2025 filing season, providing individuals and businesses ample time to prepare and file their paperwork.
While January 26 offers an early opportunity to file, the IRS maintains the standard filing deadline of Wednesday, April 15. Taxpayers must submit their returns and pay any outstanding taxes owed by this date to avoid penalties. For those anticipating difficulty meeting this deadline, the IRS allows for an automatic six-month extension to file the return. This extension grants more time to complete and submit tax documents. However, it is vital to note that this filing extension does not extend the due date for tax payments. Any remaining tax balances should still be paid by April 15 to prevent incurring a failure-to-pay penalty.
Special considerations apply for individuals and business entities located in federally declared disaster areas. Those affected may qualify for an automatic extension on filing their 2025 returns. The IRS provides detailed and updated information by state regarding these extensions on its website. The length of these extensions varies depending on when and where the disaster occurred, ensuring affected taxpayers receive appropriate additional time.
Taxpayers preparing to file their 2025 returns should be aware that several legislative changes enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law last July, have introduced adjustments to tax calculations and reporting. These changes have direct implications for individual filers and may impact their tax liabilities or filing requirements. As such, the IRS recommends that filers allocate additional time to review these modifications in preparation for accurate reporting.
Addressing the readiness of the agency, IRS CEO Frank Bisignano confirmed that the agency's information systems have been updated to reflect the new tax legislation. This infrastructural enhancement aims to allow the IRS to process returns efficiently and effectively throughout the upcoming filing season, reducing errors and delays in return handling.
In summary, the IRS will begin accepting 2025 tax filings from January 26, with the standard deadline for submission and payment set at April 15. Taxpayers needing extended filing time may apply for a six-month extension, but must remain mindful of payment deadlines. Individuals and businesses in disaster-affected zones have additional filing accommodations. Awareness of changes instituted by the recent tax law is essential for accurate and compliant filing in 2025.