WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service on Monday opened the 2026 tax filing season and began accepting and processing federal individual income tax returns for tax year 2025, kicking off what officials portray as a faster, more digital-first season even as taxpayer advocates warn that staffing cuts and sweeping law changes could make problem cases harder to fix.
The IRS said it expects about 164 million individual returns to be filed before the Wednesday, April 15 deadline. Agency leaders again urged taxpayers to file electronically and use direct deposit, calling it the quickest way to speed refunds and reduce delays.
IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano tied the start of the season to two milestones the agency is highlighting this year: the nation’s 250th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of electronic filing. He encouraged taxpayers to choose e-file over paper and to use direct deposit to accelerate any refund.
The agency said most refunds are issued within 21 days, but warned that some returns require additional review and can take longer. Taxpayers can track refunds using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool, the IRS2Go app, or an IRS Individual Online Account.
A major operational shift is also reshaping how refunds are delivered. The IRS said that under Executive Order 14247, it began phasing out paper tax refund checks on September 30, 2025, meaning most taxpayers must provide routing and account numbers to receive refunds by direct deposit. For now, checks and money orders will still be accepted for payments to the IRS, but the order is driving a broader federal move to electronic payments to reduce fraud, improve security, lower costs, and speed processing.
The agency on Tuesday issued frequently asked questions in Fact Sheet 2026-02 explaining the changes under Executive Order 14247, describing a Treasury-led transition to electronic methods for payments to and from the federal government, including tax refunds, benefits, grants, vendor payments, and tax payments made by individuals and businesses. The IRS stressed that the order does not change how taxpayers file their returns, only how refunds are issued and how payments are made, with limited exceptions expected for hardship or legal and procedural constraints.
For taxpayers claiming refundable credits, the IRS said most early filers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit can expect refunds to be available by Monday, March 2, if they file online, choose direct deposit, submit complete and accurate returns, and avoid processing issues. The agency said “Where’s My Refund?” is expected to provide projected deposit dates for most early EITC and ACTC filers by Saturday, February 21.
The filing season arrives as the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS, publicly warned that smooth processing for most filers could mask a tougher environment for those who hit snags. National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins said in her 2025 Annual Report to Congress, released Wednesday, that taxpayers generally did well in 2025 and most are likely to have a smooth 2026 experience — but she cautioned that the season will test the IRS’s ability to help people who encounter problems.
Collins’ report pointed to a reduction of 27% in the IRS workforce during 2025 and leadership turnover, alongside implementation of extensive and complex tax changes mandated by the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, including provisions described as retroactive and likely to complicate filing for some taxpayers. She said the season’s success will be measured by how effectively the IRS assists the millions of taxpayers who need help, not by the experience of the majority whose electronically filed returns clear processing filters.
The advocacy office also highlighted continuing strain points, including prolonged delays in identity theft victim assistance cases and a push to digitize paper processing through a “Zero Paper Initiative” that relies on contractors and optical character recognition technology — a move Collins said could cut processing times but introduces operational and confidentiality risks.
Alongside the warnings, the IRS and allied programs are touting expanded help options. The agency again pointed taxpayers to IRS Free File for eligible filers, Free File Fillable Forms for those comfortable preparing their own returns, and free preparation programs such as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly.
On Tuesday, the Taxpayer Advocate Service announced more than $22.5 million in matching grants to 145 Low Income Taxpayer Clinics nationwide for the 2026 grant year, funding representation and education services for vulnerable taxpayers while emphasizing that clinics operate independently despite partial IRS funding.
The IRS on Friday also announced $53 million in grants for Tax Counseling for the Elderly and VITA programs that provide no-cost return preparation, awarding grants to 48 TCE applicants and 315 VITA applicants after receiving 479 requests totaling more than $79 million. The IRS said information on the programs is available at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-counseling-for-the-elderly and https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-vita-grant-program, and volunteer details are available at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers.
For taxpayers and professionals seeking guidance, the IRS directed filers to tools and options at IRS.gov, including a “Get Ready” hub at IRS.gov/GetReady. It also announced that applications for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee are being accepted through Saturday, February 28, for three-year terms beginning in September 2026, with the panel focused on electronic tax administration issues such as identity theft and refund fraud.
The IRS said additional information and filing tools are available at IRS.gov, while the Taxpayer Advocate Service directed readers to more detail on the annual report at www.TaxpayerAdvocate.irs.gov/AnnualReport2025.
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