The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially confirmed that the 2026 tax filing season will begin on Monday, January 26, 2026. For millions of Americans, this date marks the starting line in the race to secure their tax refund cash.
However, this is not a typical tax year. The implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has introduced seismic shifts in tax law, including the permanent extension of certain tax cuts and the introduction of brand-new deductions for tips, overtime, and car loan interest.
Whether you are searching for your 2025 tax brackets, curious about the new tax brackets 2026, or constantly refreshing “where’s my refund,” this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know for the upcoming season.
2026 Filing Season: Key Dates and Deadlines
The IRS will begin accepting and processing 2025 federal income tax returns in late January. While the doors officially open on January 26, many taxpayers can get a head start using specific programs.
- January 9, 2026: IRS Free File opens. Qualified taxpayers can begin preparing their returns early, though they won’t be transmitted to the IRS until the official opening.
- January 26, 2026: Official start date. The IRS begins accepting all e-filed returns.
- April 15, 2026: The federal filing deadline. All 2025 tax returns must be filed or an extension requested by this date.
Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano have expressed confidence in the agency’s updated information systems, which have been retooled to handle the complexities of the new law.
Understanding the New Tax Brackets: 2025 vs. 2026
One of the most frequent questions taxpayers ask is: “What are the tax brackets for this year?” Because the IRS adjusts these brackets annually for inflation, the numbers for your 2025 return (filed in 2026) are different from the new tax brackets 2026 (which apply to the income you earn this year).
2025 Tax Brackets (For Returns Filed in 2026)
For the 2025 tax year, the standard deduction has been increased to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples filing jointly.
| Tax Rate | Single Filers | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
| 10% | $0 – $11,925 | $0 – $23,850 | $0 – $17,000 |
| 12% | $11,926 – $48,475 | $23,851 – $96,950 | $17,001 – $64,850 |
| 22% | $48,476 – $103,350 | $96,951 – $206,700 | $64,851 – $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 – $197,300 | $206,701 – $394,600 | $103,351 – $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 – $250,525 | $394,601 – $501,050 | $197,301 – $250,500 |
| 35% | $250,526 – $626,350 | $501,051 – $751,600 | $250,501 – $626,350 |
| 37% | Over $626,350 | Over $751,600 | Over $626,350 |
New Tax Brackets 2026 (For Income Earned in 2026)
If you are planning your withholdings for the current year, you need to look at the 2026 tax brackets. These incorporate further inflation adjustments.
- Single/MFS: $16,100 Standard Deduction
- Married Filing Jointly: $32,200 Standard Deduction
- Head of Household: $24,150 Standard Deduction
| Tax Rate | Single Filers (2026) | Married Filing Jointly (2026) |
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 |
| 12% | $12,401 – $50,400 | $24,801 – $100,800 |
| 22% | $50,401 – $105,700 | $100,801 – $211,400 |
| 24% | $105,701 – $201,775 | $211,401 – $403,550 |
Where’s My Refund? The Major 2026 Change
Perhaps the biggest shock for taxpayers this year is the IRS’s shift away from paper checks. Under Executive Order 14247, the IRS is phasing out paper refund checks for individual taxpayers.
The Death of the Paper Check
Starting with 2025 tax returns, the IRS will no longer issue paper checks to most filers. Instead, refunds will be issued via:
- Direct Deposit to a bank account or credit union.
- Prepaid Debit Cards.
- Digital Wallets or mobile payment apps.
Why the change? Paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen. By moving to digital-only refunds, the IRS hopes to speed up the “where’s my refund” timeline and reduce fraud.
Tracking Your Status
You can still use the Where’s My Refund? tool on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app. You will need:
- Your Social Security Number or ITIN.
- Your filing status.
- The exact whole dollar amount of your expected refund.
Most digital refunds are issued within 21 days of e-filing.
Introducing Schedule 1-A: New Tax Breaks for 2025
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has created four major “below-the-line” deductions that can significantly increase your refund. To claim these, you must use the new Schedule 1-A.
1. No Tax on Tips
Service workers can now deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips. This is a massive win for the hospitality industry and is expected to drive higher take-home pay for millions of servers and bartenders.
2. No Tax on Overtime
If you work hourly and receive “time-and-a-half” pay, you can now deduct the premium portion of that pay (the “half”) up to $12,500 for single filers.
3. No Tax on Car Loan Interest
For the first time in decades, interest on personal car loans is deductible—with a catch. The vehicle must have final assembly in the United States. You can verify this using your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the new Schedule 1-A. The deduction is capped at $10,000.
4. Enhanced Deduction for Seniors
Taxpayers aged 65 and older can claim an additional $6,000 deduction ($12,000 for couples). This is on top of the existing standard deduction for seniors.
New Savings: Trump Accounts (Child IRAs)
The new law also introduces Trump Accounts, a tax-advantaged retirement vehicle for children under 18. The government is even offering a $1,000 pilot contribution for citizens born between 2025 and 2028. Parents can contribute up to $5,000 per year, allowing for decades of tax-free growth.
Tips for a Faster Refund
To ensure you aren’t stuck asking “where’s my refund” in May, follow these IRS-recommended steps:
- File Electronically: Paper returns can take up to six months to process; e-files take days.
- Choose Direct Deposit: It is now the mandatory default for most filers.
- Gather All Documents: Ensure you have your W-2s, 1099-Ks (for payment app income over $20,000), and the new Form 1099-DA if you traded digital assets or crypto.
- Check Schedule 1-A Eligibility: Don’t leave money on the table if you earn tips or work overtime.
The 2026 filing season promises to be one of the most rewarding in years for the average taxpayer, with the IRS reporting that average refunds in 2025 already hit over $3,000. With the new OBBBA deductions, that number is expected to climb even higher.