The 2026 tax filing season will start on January 26, one of the earliest openings in a decade, following the signing of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill into law last July. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that millions of Americans could receive larger refunds and bigger paychecks due to adjusted withholdings under the new tax cuts. The IRS anticipates processing about 164 million returns, with most filed electronically.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set January 26, 2026, as the first day for individuals to file their 2025 federal income tax returns, marking an unusually early start compared to previous years. This adjustment stems from the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, which introduced significant tax relief measures for working families.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted the bill's potential impact during a Thursday announcement, stating, “The president wants to get this money into the hands of the American people as soon as possible.” He added, “As withholdings are adjusted, millions will take home bigger paychecks every month this year.” Bessent, in a January 8, 2026, social media post, emphasized that the legislation could deliver the largest tax refunds many Americans have ever seen.
Key provisions of the bill for 2026 include new tax breaks for seniors and exemptions from taxation on tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest. Bessent noted, “President Trump is committed to the taxpayers of this country and improving upon the successful tax filing season in 2025.” He expressed confidence in the Treasury and IRS's preparations, saying they had updated forms and processes to support hardworking Americans and foster economic growth.
IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano affirmed the agency's readiness: “The Internal Revenue Service is ready to help taxpayers meet their tax filing and payment obligations during the 2026 filing season.” He pointed out that IRS systems have been updated to handle the new laws efficiently, with the workforce dedicated to serving the public.
The early start is expected to accelerate economic benefits, according to Bessent: “After this date, most of the benefits of the president’s bill will begin to materialize, presenting a major tailwind for our economy in 2026.” The filing deadline remains April 15, 2026, and the IRS projects receiving around 164 million individual returns, predominantly through electronic filing.
