Overview
- The IRS will begin accepting 2025 tax-year returns on January 26, with an April 15 filing and payment deadline and an October 15 deadline for extension filers.
- The agency expects about 164 million individual returns and urges electronic filing with direct deposit as it phases out paper refund checks.
- Free File opened January 9 for eligible taxpayers (generally up to $84,000 in income), with in-person help available through VITA and TCE, including Spanish-language resources.
- New provisions from the 2025 law alter credits, deductions and forms, including a new Schedule 1-A and rules requiring a valid SSN or ITIN to claim certain dependent credits.
- Platform and digital-asset reporting tighten this season, with 1099-Ks issued above $20,000 and 200 transactions and required disclosure of crypto and other digital assets, including a 1040 question and potential 1099-DA.