For years, taxpayers have marked late January as the unofficial start of tax season, when the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting electronically filed returns. That long-standing rhythm may be delayed for the 2026 filing season.

Based on public comments from Internal Revenue Service leadership and combined with the delays related to major changes and staffing issues, it’s possible the e-file may not open until around Presidents Day, placing the start date in mid-February 2026. 

While the IRS has not yet issued a formal opening date for 2026, last year it opened on January 27, 2025.

If the start date is delayed in February, this would represent one of the latest openings in recent memory and could affect tens of millions of households that rely on early refunds to cover bills, pay down debt, or rebuild savings after the holidays.

Why The 2026 IRS E-File Opening May Be Delayed

The primary driver behind the potential delay is a major overhaul of the federal tax code. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted in July 2025, introduced wide-ranging changes that affect individual filers, families with children, and certain deductions and credits.

Each change requires updated tax forms, revised instructions, new IRS guidance, and extensive systems programming. IRS watchdog groups have expressed concern over the workload increase, combined with staffing cuts.

Then, you combine that with the government shutdown, which lasted 42 days, and the IRS is behind.

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 portions of the tax code needing to be rewritten, that process is taking longer than usual, raising the likelihood that the agency will need extra weeks to ensure returns are processed correctly.

The prior IRS commissioner has even made statements to this effect.

How A Mid-February Opening Will Impact 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, returns submitted earlier would sit in a queue until that point.

That means refunds would also be pushed back. 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 systems are live.

The IRS has mentioned that this year could see record tax refunds, but the delay may make many Americans antsy. 

The effect could be especially noticeable for lower-income households and families claiming refundable credits, who often depend on early refunds for rent, utilities, or catching up on expenses after the holidays. It could also result in an increase in tax refund anticipation loans.

State tax agencies may also open later than usual. In recent years, some states have delayed their own filing seasons to align with federal changes. Colorado, for example, opened its filing system weeks after the IRS last year and is again warning residents that federal tax law changes could affect timing in 2026.

What You Can Do Now To Prepare

A later IRS e-file opening date does not mean taxpayers should wait to prepare. In fact, early preparation becomes more important when timelines shift – as it means you might have a shorter window to actually file. Even if the IRS delays the start of e-File season, it’s doubtful you’ll see an extension of the actual tax deadlines in 2026.

Right now, you can still gather documents, review last year’s return, and check for changes that may affect your taxes, including updates to the child tax credit and income thresholds tied to inflation. Filing early once e-file opens remains the best way to reduce fraud risk and get refunds as soon as possible.

Tax professionals also recommend confirming that your bank account and mailing information are up to date, especially if you plan to receive a direct deposit refund. Errors in that information can add weeks to processing time.

For those who owe taxes, a delayed opening does not change the April filing deadline unless Congress or the IRS announces otherwise. Payments can still be scheduled electronically once systems are live, and estimated payments remain due on their normal timetable.

You can also follow along with The College Investor’s Estimated Tax Refund Calendar to share what your status is.

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