At a Glance
- The IRS will start accepting 2025 returns on January 26, 2026
- Early filers beat scammers and get refunds in about three weeks
- April 15 remains the payment deadline even if you file sooner
- Why it matters: Filing early locks in your refund, gives you months to plan for a bill, and slashes fraud risk
The 2026 tax-filing clock is ticking. The IRS announced that January 26, 2026 is the first day U.S. taxpayers can submit 2025 federal returns. While the April 15 deadline feels distant, dragging your feet can cost you money, time, and peace of mind. Marcus L. Bennett at News Of Losangeles outlines seven concrete reasons to hit “send” sooner rather than later.
Reason 1: Get your refund weeks earlier
About 65 % of taxpayers who filed by last April’s deadline received refunds averaging $2,939. File on January 26 and the IRS typically delivers that cash within 21 days. Wait until late April and you forfeit three months of potential interest-roughly $30 if that refund sits in a 4 % APY high-yield savings account.
Reason 2: Discover what you owe-then budget
Filing early does not accelerate the payment deadline. Taxes owed for 2025 are still due April 15, 2026. But completing your return in February gives you almost ten weeks to:
- Set aside cash from each paycheck
- Explore IRS payment-plan options
- Avoid the shock of a last-minute five-figure bill
Reason 3: Shut the door on identity thieves
IRS data show identified fraudulent refunds ballooned from $16 million in 2021 to $800 million in 2022. Most fraud happens when criminals file a fake return using stolen Social Security numbers. Beating them to the punch locks your account. Can’t file immediately? Create an IRS Identity Protection PIN; no e-file return can proceed without the six-digit code.
Reason 4: Test-drive tax software for free
Every major platform-TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxSlayer, TaxAct-lets you complete your entire return and preview the bottom-line refund or balance due before paying. Starting early lets you:
- Compare interfaces
- Check which service handles your forms best
- Switch providers if you hit a wall
Reason 5: Book human help before calendars fill
Rough return? Early birds still have access to:
- IRS Tax Assistance Centers
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
- Tax Counseling for the Elderly
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
- MilTax for veterans
Wait until March and wait-lists stretch for weeks.
Reason 6: Cut stress with breathing room
A March 2025 Savanta survey found 34 % of U.S. taxpayers feel anxious about filing. Spreading the work over several sessions-nights, lunch breaks, weekends-turns a marathon cram session into manageable sprints.
Reason 7: Pay less for software
Discounts and coupon codes surface in January and February. Prices tend to climb closer to April, so locking in early can shave $10-$30 off the final cost.
Key takeaways
- Mark January 26, 2026 on your calendar as “file day,” not April 15
- Early filing protects an average refund of $2,939 from scammers and delays
- You still have until April 15 to pay any balance, but knowing the number now lets you plan instead of panic
