As of January 26, 2026 the Internal Revenue Service has officially opened the 2026 tax filing season and is now accepting and processing federal individual income tax returns for tax year 2025.
The IRS expects approximately 164 million individual tax returns to be filed ahead of the April 15, 2026 deadline. As always, taxpayers have several filing options available, along with tools designed to speed up processing and refunds.
April 15 Is the Filing Deadline
For most taxpayers, the deadline to file a 2025 federal income tax return is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Filing early can help reduce stress, minimize errors, and speed up any refund you’re expecting.
The IRS continues to encourage taxpayers to file electronically (e-file) and choose direct deposit, which remain the fastest and most secure methods for both filing and receiving refunds.
Electronic Filing Turns 40 in 2026
The 2026 filing season also marks the 40th anniversary of electronic filing, which first launched in 1986. According to IRS leadership, e-file continues to significantly reduce processing time compared to paper returns — especially when paired with direct deposit.
Paper filing is still available, but electronic filing remains the most efficient option for most taxpayers.
Free and Assisted Filing Options - Not the Best Choice
Taxpayers who prefer to file electronically have several options, including free programs for those who qualify:
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IRS Free File: Available to eligible taxpayers, offering brand-name tax preparation software at no cost
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Free File Fillable Forms: For taxpayers comfortable preparing their own return, regardless of income
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE): Free basic tax preparation for qualifying individuals
That said, more than half of taxpayers use a tax professional to prepare and file their returns.
Tax professionals often uncover deductions and credits that DIY software such as those provided by the IRS and TurboTax may not prompt or which taxpayers may overlook, such as:
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Valuing non-cash charitable contributions
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Correctly reporting business or investment income
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Applying unique or less common tax credits
Using a tax professional can avoid errors, lead to more accurate filings and potentially larger refunds than taxpayers preparing returns themselves.
Refund Timing: What to Expect
Most refunds are issued within 21 days for taxpayers who:
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File electronically
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Choose direct deposit
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Have no issues with their return
Direct deposit is now more important than ever. As of September 30, 2025, the IRS began phasing out paper refund checks, meaning most taxpayers must provide bank routing and account numbers to receive refunds.
You can track your refund using:
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Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov
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The IRS2Go mobile app
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Your IRS Individual Online Account
Some returns may take longer if additional review is required.
EITC and Child Tax Credit Refunds
For taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), refunds are expected to be available by March 2, 2026, if:
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Direct deposit is selected
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There are no other issues with the return
The IRS expects Where’s My Refund? to begin showing projected deposit dates for most early EITC and ACTC filers by February 21, 2026. Actual deposit timing may vary depending on your bank or financial institution.
How Morris and Associates Can Help
At Morris and Associates, we help clients navigate the tax filing season from start to finish — whether you’re filing early, waiting on documents, or expecting a refund.
We can help you:
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File accurately and electronically
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Avoid delays or errors
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Choose the best refund method
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Understand credits like the EITC and Child Tax Credit
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Plan ahead for future tax years
📍 Serving Gwinnett County and the Greater Atlanta area, our team is here to make the 2026 filing season as smooth and stress-free as possible. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation today.
