IRS Accepting Returns 2025: Tax Season Start Date and Deadline to File!

The IRS starts accepting tax returns typically in late January and the deadline for most taxpayers is around mid February. IRS has not announced yet the official dates of tax season but the expected date can be 21 January 2025 and the deadline will be 15 April 2025

The refunding timeline will be 10-21 days if taxpayers file electronically with direct deposit and 6 to 8 weeks if individuals utilise paper filing. People are advised to follow the “Get Ready” tips and actions of the IRS before the opening of tax season so that they can reduce the stress of tax season. 

IRS Accepting Returns 2025

IRS Accepting Returns 2025 is the date when the International Revenue Service will start accepting the tax returns of the taxpayers and then process them. The 2025 tax season is expected to start in late January and the due date for most taxpayers will be 15 April. The extension date will be 15 October 2025 as per previous years trend. 

Everyone is curious about the IRS accepting tax return date, it’s not officially announced yet, but we can expect it from 21 January 2025. The IRS has announced some key updates for this filing season so that taxpayers can get an approach for more digital tools and options available. The IRS “Get Ready” page on the IRS.gov website offers practical tips for taxpayers to make this tax season smoother. 

Individuals have to thoroughly read this article to know the key preparations before the official start of tax season 2025. The get ready key steps include signing up for an online account, Preparation to include digital assets on taxes, get IP PIN, etc. These actions can reduce the stress of tax season among taxpayers. 

IRS Accepting Returns & Refund Timeline 2025

After accepting tax returns or people, the next process is to verify the taxpayers information on the tax returns and if there’s any need for additional information, you will be asked to provide it quickly otherwise you will face delays in your tax refunds. 

After verifying information, the IRS will start processing your tax refund and typically it takes almost 21 days to refund your taxes electronically with direct deposit. Paper filing can take a longer time, almost 6 to 8 weeks, so it’s advised to file electronically with direct deposit to get faster refunds within 10 to 21. The IRS accepting dates with the expected refund table is available here. 

IRS Accepting Tax Returns 2025  Direct Deposit Refund Dates 2025 (between 10-21 days with electronic filing)
21 January 2025 6-17 February 2025 
3 February 2025 13-24 February 2025
10 February 2025  20 February-3 March 2025
17 February 2025 27 February-10 March 2025
24 February 2025 6-17 March 2025
3 March 2025 13-24 March 2025
10 March 2025 20-31 March 2025
17 March 2025 27 March-7 April 2025
24 March 2025 3-14 April 2025
31 March 2025 10-21  April 2025
7 April 2025  17-28 April 2025
15 April 2025 24 April-5 May 2025

What are the key steps and actions which taxpayers have to take before IRS Tax Season 2025?

The several steps and actions which taxpayers have to take before the official opening of tax season 2025. These steps are also available on the IRS official page and you can check from it. 

  • Gather and Organize Tax Documents: Taxpayers have to gather essential forms and documents like W-2s, 1099s, and other income documents before opening of tax season. This is crucial because it avoids errors in tax refunds and it ensures that every credit and deductions details are accurate or not. 
  • Create or Access an IRS Online Account: individuals are advised to create and access an IRS account because this tool provides you with many types of information about your tax refund such as requesting an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), getting account transcripts, signing tax forms, and managing payments. 
  • Avoid delays through Direct Deposit: individuals have to utilize the direct deposit method at the time of filing tax returns so that the refunds will not be delayed. 
  • Check Withholding: individuals can check the correct amount of tax is withheld from their paychecks by using the IRS tax Withholding Estimator.