WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service announced that the 2025 tax season will begin on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. The agency expects to process more than 140 million individual tax returns for the 2024 tax year ahead of the Tuesday, April 15 filing deadline. This year’s filing season reflects significant improvements, including enhanced online tools, expanded access to forms via mobile devices, and updated features to protect taxpayers from scams.
Taxpayers in 25 states will gain access to the Direct File program, which expands from 12 pilot states in 2024. The program allows eligible individuals to file taxes directly with the IRS for free and includes tools like automatic data import, live chat in English and Spanish, and support for a broader range of tax credits. The Free File program, available now on IRS.gov, offers free filing software to taxpayers earning up to $84,000 annually.
Customer service enhancements from prior seasons continue, with average phone wait times under five minutes and expanded hours at Taxpayer Assistance Centers. Refunds are typically issued within 21 days for electronic filings with direct deposit. Taxpayers are encouraged to review the Get Ready page to prepare their returns and learn more about free filing options.
Commissioner Danny Werfel highlighted the agency’s focus on modernization, stating, “These taxpayer-focused improvements are just the beginning of what the IRS needs to do. With continued investment, we can further enhance the nation’s tax system.”
More details are available at IRS.gov.
