When Does Tax Season Start? Your 2025 Filing Timeline and Refund Guide

The 2025 tax filing window is officially underway. The IRS began accepting individual income tax returns on January 27, creating a 78-day filing period for approximately 140 million taxpayers to submit their 2024 tax year returns. If you’re wondering when does taxes start—the answer is now. Here’s what you need to know to navigate the season efficiently and secure your refund as quickly as possible.

Key Dates You Can’t Miss

When does taxes start and when must you file? Tax Day 2025 falls on April 15. You have until midnight that date to submit your return, giving you a 78-day window from the IRS’s January 27 start date. If you need more time, Form 4868 allows you to request an automatic extension, pushing your filing deadline to October 15. However, extensions only delay filing—they don’t extend your payment deadline for any taxes owed to the IRS.

Residents of disaster-affected areas, including Los Angeles County and regions impacted by 2024 hurricanes, may qualify for additional filing time. Check the IRS website to confirm your deadline.

Getting Ready: Documents and Preparation

Start gathering your tax documents now, even if you don’t plan to file immediately. Your W-2 forms are critical; employers must send these by January 31. Having your documents organized early eliminates last-minute scrambling.

Should you itemize or take the standard deduction? For 2024, standard deductions are:

• Single filers: $14,600
• Heads of household: $21,900
• Married couples filing jointly: $29,200

If your eligible deductions exceed these amounts, itemizing typically results in a larger refund or lower tax bill, though it requires more work.

Free Filing Options Available Now

The IRS Free File program is already open for eligible taxpayers. Through partnerships with eight tax preparation companies, you can file online at zero cost if your adjusted gross income doesn’t exceed $84,000 for 2024.

Additionally, Direct File—the IRS’s own guided tax-filing tool—is now available. After a pilot program in just 12 states last year, it has expanded to 25 states, serving an estimated 32 million taxpayers. This represents a significant expansion of free filing accessibility.

Tracking Your Refund: Timeline and Expectations

Most taxpayers receive refunds within 21 days of filing electronically. Paper returns typically take longer. The IRS issued over 100 million refunds in each of the past two years, with an average refund amount exceeding $3,000.

To receive your refund faster:

• File electronically rather than by mail
• Select direct deposit as your delivery method
• Use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool to monitor status (you’ll need your Social Security number, filing status, and expected refund amount)

Don’t assume a specific refund arrival date for paying bills—delays do occur. Plan accordingly and treat any refund as a bonus rather than guaranteed income.

Watch Out for Tax Scams

Tax season attracts scammers who pose as the IRS via text, email, and phone calls. Remember: The IRS never initiates contact through these channels. Any such messages are fake. If you receive suspicious communications claiming to be from the IRS, report them immediately.

Getting Support

The IRS has enhanced its support tools this year, including text and virtual assistants for tax questions, mobile phone options for completing forms, and the free filing resources mentioned above. Whether you work with a professional tax preparer or file independently, you have more tools available than ever before.

The 2025 tax season officially started this week. Begin organizing documents, determine your filing strategy, and take advantage of free filing options to streamline the process and maximize your refund.