The 2025 tax season in the United States is about to begin, and with it come important deadlines that taxpayers must take into account to avoid penalties and optimize their refunds.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set January 27 as the start date for filing returns, while the main deadline will be April 15. However, there are exceptions and extensions for certain specific cases.
Who must file a return with the IRS?
Filing taxes is mandatory for most U.S. citizens and permanent residents who work in the country. Factors such as gross income, marital status, age, and whether the person is a dependent must be taken into account. According to the IRS, you will be required to file a return if:
- Your gross income exceeds the filing threshold.
- You have earned more than $400 in net earnings from self-employment.
- You are dependent and meet certain established conditions.
- You wish to submit it voluntarily to access tax benefits.
Filing status also plays a key role in filing, as it can impact how much tax you must pay or what benefits you can access. The IRS categorizes taxpayers into five filing statuses: single, head of household, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or widowed.
2025 tax season: key dates to consider
The main federal tax filing deadline is April 15, 2025. However, if that day falls on a weekend or holiday, the date will be moved to the next business day. In addition, there are other important deadlines that taxpayers should be aware of:
- January 31, April 30, and July 31: Quarterly payroll tax and excise tax returns.
- March 17: Deadline for declarations of civil companies and corporations.
- May 15: Deadline for tax-exempt organizations filing returns.
- April 15, June 16, and September 15: Estimated tax payment due dates.
- October 15: Deadline for those who requested an extension.
Exceptions and extensions
The
IRS allows extensions in certain cases. For example, citizens who reside outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico or those who serve in the military abroad can request a two-month extension to file and pay their taxes. Additionally, members of the Armed Forces who were unable to file their return due to an emergency can have up to 180 additional days to comply with this tax obligation.
Tax relief was also announced for those affected by the California wildfires . These taxpayers will have until October 15, 2025 to file returns and make payments without penalties.
Tax refund and electronic filing
To expedite the process, the IRS recommends filing electronically through the Free File service , available in 25 states with the Direct File option. This system allows eligible taxpayers to send their returns directly to the IRS at no cost.
Taxpayers who e-file will be able to check the status of their refund 48 hours after it is sent by using the “
Where’s My Refund ?” tool on the IRS website. This way, they will be able to monitor the process and estimate when they will receive their money.
With these key dates and tools, taxpayers can plan ahead and avoid hassles when filing their 2025 tax return.