- The 2026 tax filing season may not open until mid-February, after the usual start in late January.
- Changes in federal tax law, combined with employment cuts and recent government shutdowns, complicate tax season preparation.
- Student loan borrowers will be fully compensated when problems occur
For many years, taxpayers have considered late January to be the unofficial start of the tax season, when the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting electronically filed returns. This long-term cadence may be delayed for the 2026 filing season.
Based on public comments from IRS leadership as well as delays related to key changes and staffing issues, e-File likely will not open until around Presidents Day, making the start date mid-February 2026.
While the IRS has not yet released an official opening date for 2026, it opened last year on January 27, 2025.
If the February start date is pushed back, it would represent one of the latest opportunities in recent memory and could impact tens of millions of households who rely on early refunds to cover bills, pay down debt, or rebuild savings after the holidays.
Why IRS e-filing may be delayed for 2026
The main driver behind the potential delay is a comprehensive overhaul of the federal tax code. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in July 2025, made sweeping changes affecting single filers, families with children, and certain deductions and credits.
Each change requires updated tax forms, revised instructions, New IRS guidanceand large-scale systems programming. The IRS has oversight groups He expressed concern about the increased workloadalong with staffing cuts.
Then, combine that with the government shutdown, which lasted 42 days, and the IRS falls behind the wheel.
In a typical year, the IRS uses the fall and early winter to test its electronic filing systems and coordinate with tax software companies. With large parts of the tax code needing to be rewritten, this process is taking longer than usual, raising the possibility that the agency will need additional weeks to ensure returns are processed correctly.
the The former IRS Commissioner has made statements to this effect.
How will the mid-February opening affect Americans?
For most filers, the practical impact comes down to timing. Even if you complete your tax return in January, the IRS generally does not begin processing returns until the official opening date. If the filing season opens around February 17, 2026, previously filed returns will remain in the waiting list until that point.
This means that refunds will also be given. Taxpayers who typically receive their refunds in early or mid-February may not see that money until late February or early March, depending on how quickly the IRS processes returns once the systems are up and running.
The IRS says this year could see a record tax refund, but the delay could have many Americans worried.
The impact could be especially noticeable for low-income households and households claiming refundable credits, who often rely on early refunds for rent or utilities or catching up on expenses after the holidays. It could also lead to an increase in expected tax refund loans.
State tax agencies may also open later than usual. In recent years, some states have delayed their filing seasons to align with federal changes. Colorado, for example, opened its filing system weeks after the IRS last year Residents warn again Changes in federal tax law could affect the timing in 2026.
What you can do now to prepare
The later IRS e-file open date does not mean taxpayers have to wait to prepare. In fact, early preparation becomes even more important when timelines change – as it means you may have a shorter window to actually file. Even if the IRS delays the start of e-filing season, it’s doubtful you’ll see an extension of the actual tax deadlines in 2026.
For now, you can still collect documents, review last year’s returns, and check for changes that may affect your taxes, including updates to the child tax credit and inflation-linked income limits. Filing early as soon as the electronic file is opened remains the best way to reduce the risk of fraud and get refunds as quickly as possible.
Tax professionals also recommend making sure your bank account and mailing information is up to date, especially if you plan to get a direct deposit refund. Errors in that information can add weeks to processing time.
For those who owe taxes, the delayed opening does not change the April filing deadline unless Congress or the IRS declares otherwise. Payments can still be scheduled electronically once systems are up and running, and estimated payments are still due on their regular schedule.
You can also follow the College Investor’s Estimated Tax Refund Calendar to share your status.
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