US EditionIRS Tax Filing Season Begins Today. Expect Confusion. Here’s What to Know
The IRS begins the 2026 tax season with new refund rules boosting average federal refunds by $300 to $1,000, while Oregon issues a $1.41 billion kicker refund.
- The Internal Revenue Service announced on Jan. 26, 2026, that the season is open and expects average refunds of 3,167, urging electronic filing and direct deposit.
- Staffing reductions and turnover at the IRS have raised concerns about processing capacity, while tax analysts predict average refunds could rise $300 to $1,000 after President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes.
- Complex rule changes like the new deductions include 'no tax on tips' and a $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older, but employers may not provide needed W-2 breakdowns, said tax pros.
- By March 2, 2026, claimants of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit should receive refunds, while Oregon taxpayers who e-file may get refunds as early as Feb. 17, and the IRS 'Where's My Refund' tool shows status about 24 hours after e-filing.
- Amid modernization the agency still faces processing concerns as the Internal Revenue Service began phasing out paper checks starting Sept. 30, 2025, and says combining direct deposit with electronic filing is fastest.
19 Articles
19 Articles
IRS Opens 2026 Filing as White House Expects Largest Tax Refund Season
The Internal Revenue Service announced on Jan. 26 the opening of the 2026 tax filing season. “The IRS expects about 164 million individual tax returns for tax year 2025 to be filed ahead of the Wednesday, April 15, federal deadline. Taxpayers can find a range of tools and filing options on IRS.gov to help them prepare and file their returns,” according to the agency’s news release. The IRS has various online tools and resources that taxpayers ca…
Where's My Refund? How To Track Your Status With IRS Tool During The 2026 Tax Season
Tax season is officially open. Starting Monday, taxpayers can file their returns with the IRS. They have until April 15 to do so unless an extension is filed. The IRS also has a tool that all taxpayers can use to check their current tax return and refund. Here’s how it works and what you need to know. Tax season runs from Jan. 26, 2026, to April 15, 2026 An estimated 164 million Americans are expected to file during the 2026 tax season. The dead…
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