# When Is Tax Season? Definition, Dates, and Deadlines

![Person at a desk using a calculator and laptop to calculate their taxes](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/0V9UJxzgaDV8OgXdzC2CsILYxDA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/WhenisTaxSeason-ca77df6805054dd1a72980f53ea6853f.jpg)

*— Pra-chid / Getty Images*

> **Definition**
>
> Tax season is the period between Jan. 1 and about April 15 of each year when taxpayers get ready to report their taxable income for the previous year.

## What Is Tax Season?

Tax season is the period of time, generally between Jan. 1 and about April 15 of each year, when taxpayers prepare to report their taxable income to the federal government and, in most cases, to the government of the state where they live.

Tax day in the U.S. is usually April 15. If that date falls on a weekend, the deadline is delayed until the following Monday. The deadline has sometimes been extended for some or all filers. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) keeps [a list of delayed deadlines due to natural disasters](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations) on its website.

Tax returns submitted after the deadline are subject to late penalty fees and interest charges. Extensions are available but they delay only the filing of the paperwork, not the payment of any taxes owed.

The current tax season began on Jan. 1, 2025, with a filing deadline of Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

### Key Takeaways

*   Tax Day is Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
*   For the current tax season, you should receive all of the forms detailing your 2024 taxable income by the end of January 2025. Employees should get a W-2 and independent contractors should get a Form 1099.
*   If you have an account with a broker, you should receive a Form 1099-B.
*   If you receive Social Security benefits, the government will send you a Form 1099.

## Understanding Tax Season

Nobody expects you to spend three and a half months working on your taxes. Tax season is meant to provide time for employers, banks, financial services providers, and other entities to collate and distribute all of the information taxpayers need to file their returns.

The deadline for employers to send [W-2s](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/w2form.asp) to their employees is Jan. 31. Businesses that hire [independent contractors](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/independent-contractor.asp) must send these "nonemployees" [Form 1099-NEC](https://www.investopedia.com/form-1099-nec-nonemployee-compensation-definition-5181240). This form replaced [1099-MISC](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/form1099-misc.asp), which remains in effect for income received from rent and prizes, among other sources.

Independent contractors must file a return and pay [self-employment taxes](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/selfemploymenttax.asp) on any net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more.

> **Important**
>
> The IRS advises that all taxpayers keep copies of their tax returns for at least three years. In the event of an IRS audit, a taxpayer will be required to present the last three years of their documents. In extreme cases, such as suspicion of fraud, they will be expected to show seven years of documents.

## Why Filing Early Can Make Sense

Many taxpayers wait to file until just before the deadline, but there is no need to put it off until the last minute. Indeed, filing an early tax return can make sense for a variety of reasons.

The best reason is that many [taxpayers](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/taxpayer.asp) get money back from the government. [If you file early](https://www.investopedia.com/why-file-taxes-early-11680771), you'll get your money back early. Wait until the last minute and your return will wait for processing in a very large pile of returns.

The IRS began accepting and processing 2024 tax year returns on Jan. 27, 2025. Even if you don't file early, there are reasons to begin preparation as soon as you can.

Starting your filing process early gives you the time you need to collect the evidence needed to claim all of your deductions. You will avoid the headache of the middle of the night stress over figures and receipts. Your accountant will have a more flexible schedule and will probably be able to start working on your accounts immediately. Also, by filing early, you will short-circuit would-be identity thieves.

## How Early in 2025 Can I Start Filing My Taxes?

The IRS began accepting 2024 returns on Jan. 27, 2025.

If you plan to file directly, you might consider creating an account at [IRS.gov/account](https://irs.gov/account), where you'll find useful information about filing.

## Do I Need to Pay to Get My Taxes Done?

The IRS says that almost all single and married taxpayers, regardless of income, can now file their federal tax returns electronically free of charge using the IRS.gov website or the IRS2Go app.

Through an agreement with the IRS, taxpayers with income below certain levels can use any of a number of tax return software programs.

(State taxes are a separate matter, and state rules apply.)

## When Should I Receive My Tax Refund in 2025?

The IRS states that most tax refunds are distributed within 21 calendar days of filing. You'll get your refund fastest if you file early.

## The Bottom Line

Tax season is the period when individuals, couples, and some businesses prepare their documents for filing taxes, which are generally due on or about April 15 of each year. Most people and businesses start receiving the needed documents to fill out their tax forms in January. Therefore, tax season is usually considered to be between Jan. 1 and April 15.

During this time, taxpayers gather together their paperwork and complete their tax forms, with the use of tax preparation software or directly through IRS.gov. Whichever method you choose, it's important to get the paperwork in by the deadline (along with the money due, if any) to avoid penalties and interest charges.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Internal Revenue Service. "[When to File](https://www.irs.gov/filing/individuals/when-to-file)."
>     
> 2.  Internal Revenue Service. "[Failure to File Penalty](https://www.irs.gov/payments/failure-to-file-penalty)."
>     
> 3.  Internal Revenue Service. "[Topic No. 752, Filing Forms W-2 and W-3](https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc752)."
>     
> 4.  Internal Revenue Service. "[General Instructions for Certain Information Returns, (Forms 1096, 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, and W-2G)](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1099gi.pdf)." Page 27.
>     
> 5.  Internal Revenue Service. "[Topic No. 554, Self-Employment Tax](https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc554)."
>     
> 6.  Internal Revenue Service. "[Topic No. 305, Recordkeeping](https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc305)."
>     
> 7.  Internal Revenue Service. "[Tax Season Rapidly Approaching: Get Ready Now to File 2023 Federal Income Tax Returns in Early 2024](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-season-rapidly-approaching-get-ready-now-to-file-2023-federal-income-tax-returns-in-early-2024)."
>     
> 8.  Internal Revenue Service. "[IRS Free File: Do your Taxes for Free](https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free)."
>     
> 9.  Internal Revenue Service. "[Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions)."