How Early Can You File Taxes? Dates and Deadlines for the 2025 Tax Season

As Americans enter the new year, they have a new set of tax deadlines to worry about. From year to year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updates its tax guidelines, which can result in some Americans see more or less money or different deadlines. Why It Matters During Congress’ bid to stop a government shutdown, the IRS lost $80 billion it was supposed to get as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. This loss, along with new tax tier and deduction guidelines, could change tax amounts significantly for many Americans. What To Know When can you start filing taxes in 2025? Americans will learn the exact date the IRS will begin accepting returns in a few days, but depending on what day it is, they can get a head start on filing taxes. Are 2025 tax forms available yet? Tax return forms will be available in late January, which is when Americans can begin to file taxes. In 2024, tax returns were available on January 29, and the new forms are expected to become available on January 27 this year. A sign marks the entrance to the IRS headquarters building on September 15 in Washington, D.C. Tax Day this year is on April 15, but Americans can file their taxes before then. A sign marks the entrance to the IRS headquarters building on September 15 in Washington, D.C. Tax Day this year is on April 15, but Americans can file their taxes before then. J. David Ake/Getty Images What are the new IRS rules for 2025? There will still be seven income brackets that earners can fall into: 10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35 and 37 percent. While the top tax rate will stay at 37 percent for single taxpayers making more than $626,350, there are important numbers to keep in mind for taxpayers bringing in different levels of income. The marginal rates for tax year 2025 are as follows: In 2026, for the tax year 2025, the standard deduction will get a $400 boost, making it $15,000 for single filers. Married couples filing jointly will see a standard deduction of $30,000, up $800 from 2024. The standard deduction refers to the portion of your income that is not subject to taxes, which essentially reduces the amount of your taxable income. What People Are Saying Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “The exact date the IRS will start accepting returns will be announced in the coming days, but it’s normally the last or next-to last Monday of the month, with last year’s starting on January 29. It’s important to factor in some changes this year, with a rise in the standard deduction to meet inflation, as well as a lowering of the threshold from payments received through third-party processors on sales of goods and services.” What Happens Next Taxpayers have until April 15 to file their returns unless they’ve been granted an extension. If they get an extension to file, they will not get an extension to pay, which means all balances will incur fees and penalties.