Tax Season Starts Jan. 26… and the IRS May Not Be Ready..

The Internal Revenue Service is set to begin accepting and processing 2025 individual income tax returns on Jan. 26, marking the official start of the 2026 tax filing season. The filing deadline will remain April 15.

Tax experts, including the IRS’ independent watchdog, have warned that this year’s filing season could face challenges due to significant staffing reductions and recent changes to federal tax law. Tens of thousands of IRS employees left the agency through layoffs and buyouts tied to the Department of Government Efficiency, an effort associated with Elon Musk.

In addition to workforce losses, the IRS will be responsible for implementing major provisions of Republicans’ tax and spending package signed into law last summer. Several provisions apply retroactively to the 2025 tax year, requiring updates to tax forms and potentially leading to increased questions from taxpayers.

“President Donald Trump is committed to the taxpayers of this country and improving upon the successful tax filing season in 2025,” said Scott Bessent, acting IRS commissioner, in a news release. “I am confident in our ability to deliver results and drive growth for businesses and consumers alike.”

The IRS has said it expects to receive approximately 164 million individual income tax returns, a number comparable to last year. During the previous filing season, IRS employees were not allowed to accept buyout offers until after the April 15 filing deadline.

Concerns about the upcoming season were outlined in a June report from the National Taxpayer Advocate.

“With the IRS workforce reduced by 26% and significant tax law changes on the horizon, there are risks to next year’s filing season,” said Erin M. Collins, who leads the organization charged with protecting taxpayers’ rights.

According to the report, the IRS workforce fell from 102,113 employees at the end of the Biden administration to 75,702, though the agency has not released updated employment figures.

Tax officials are encouraging taxpayers to:

• File early
• Use electronic filing when possible
• Allow additional time for questions or delays during the upcoming filing season