IRS start date for accepting 2026 returns may be announced in January

As of Jan. 2 the IRS had not announced an official 2026 "go live" date; the agency began accepting returns on Jan. 27 in 2025 and tax professionals expect an announcement in January.

The IRS had not announced an official start date for the 2026 filing season as of Jan. 2, and tax preparers say an announcement often comes later in January. Recent changes to tax law affecting 2025 returns mean some filers could see larger refunds, but the new rules also add complexity and restrictions. A new Schedule 1-A was made available in draft form in late December to claim certain breaks, but draft forms cannot be filed with the IRS. The agency also said it will largely stop issuing paper-check refunds to individual taxpayers. Key points: - The IRS had not issued an official 2026 "Go Live" date as of Jan. 2, 2026. - In 2025 the agency began accepting and processing returns on Jan. 27. - New tax provisions affecting 2025 returns include deductions or breaks for tip income, overtime pay, car loan interest and a break for taxpayers 65 and older. - A new Schedule 1-A was available only as a draft online in late December and cannot be filed in draft form. - The IRS said most individual refunds will no longer be mailed as paper checks; direct deposit, prepaid cards or digital wallets are the alternatives mentioned. - Tax experts said a short delay to the season kickoff would not be surprising given agency staffing and leadership changes in 2025. Summary: Changes to tax rules for 2025 could increase refunds for some taxpayers while adding paperwork and confusion for others, and the IRS had not announced the official 2026 start date as of Jan. 2. Officials and preparers expect the agency to announce a start date in January, though exact timing was undetermined at the time of the report.