The First Day You Can File Your Taxes In 2026

The earliest filing date for income taxes in the U.S. in 2026 is Monday, January 26, according to the IRS. Although it might seem logical to make the date January 1, employers generally have until January 31 to send employees the tax documents required for filing. This year, because bigger tax refunds may be coming thanks to changes implemented via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), more refund recipients may end up filing earlier in order to get their money sooner. To reassure filers, IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano shared that IRS systems are up-to-date and ready to smoothly process refunds. 

According to Tax Foundation estimates, the OBBBA reduced taxes for the 2025 tax year by $144 billion, with the average refund-receiving tax filer expected to get up to $1,000 more. People who receive tips at their job, in particular, may see tax changes due to changing tipping policies in the bill. A tip income deduction of $25,000 could help to lower a worker's taxes — although this deduction lessens if a person earns $150,000 overall or files a joint tax return with income of $300,000. Another reason why people may get bigger refunds is the bill's "No Tax on Overtime" clause. Depending on someone's income, they can deduct up to $12,500 in overtime pay, with joint filers able to do so up to $25,000.

Although taxpayers have until April 15 to file, doing so early will ensure your refund arrives as quickly as possible and help to avoid processing delays if the IRS gets backlogged. In 2024, the IRS processed over 141 million tax returns, which is a lot of paperwork to review. The best filing method to get the fastest return is e-filing, which GoBankingRates estimates could get you your refund within three weeks. Meanwhile, paper returns may take double that time or more. 

Early filing can also help alleviate any stress or uncertainty you feel about the filing process. If you're unsure whether you'll owe money, for example, you'll probably find out more quickly if you opt to file sooner. Another reason to file early involves filing errors: The IRS notes that 27.3% of tax returns contain errors that need to be corrected. If this occurs, the taxpayer will get an IRS notification describing the problems. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as signing a form you missed, though other instances may require you to address inaccuracies in your reporting or mathematical errors. The taxpayer can copy the rejection notification into an online IRS error identification tool to discover how to correct the return, but it's important to leave enough time for corrections to avoid late filing penalties. Finally, those applying for a mortgage loan could also benefit from filing early. The lender may ask to see tax returns, and having your most recent one can come in handy — or even be required.