Tax season is officially open. Starting Monday, taxpayers can file their returns with the IRS. They have until April 15 to do so unless an extension is filed. The IRS also has a tool that all taxpayers can use to check their current tax return and refund. Here’s how it works and what you need to know.
Tax season runs from Jan. 26, 2026, to April 15, 2026
An estimated 164 million Americans are expected to file during the 2026 tax season. The deadline for returns is April 15. Taxpayers may file for an extension until that date. In which case, they will have until Oct. 15 to file without penalties.
Employers have until Jan. 31 to send employees their W-2 forms either by mail or electronically, according to H&R Block, as reported by The Indy Star.
Filing season kicks off today and the #IRS expects about 164 million individual tax returns for tax year 2025. Here’s a ‘groovy’ tip: Check out a range of ‘far out’ tools and filing options on https://t.co/kcgZUfN9B4 to help you prep and file your return. https://t.co/ycsIGNbN98 pic.twitter.com/Tcy0yHVLuz
— IRSnews (@IRSnews) January 26, 2026
How to check for tax refunds
Taxpayers may check their tax refund status via the IRS website or via the IRS2Go mobile app. It includes information about taxes from 2022 and 2023.
You can start checking your status 24 hours after e-filing the current year’s return, three or four days after e-filing a prior tax year or four weeks after mailing a paper return. Most refunds are issued within 21 days, according to The Indy Star.
The IRS indicates that information is updated every day, generally between 4 and 5 a.m. EST, during which the service may be temporarily unavailable.
To check the status of your refund, you will need your social security or individual taxpayer ID number, your filing status and the exact refund amount on your return. After which, your status will either appear as:
- Return received, meaning the IRS received your return and is processing it.
- Refund approved, meaning the IRS approved your refund and is preparing to issue it by the date shown.
- Refund sent, meaning the IRS sent the refund to your bank or to you in the mail. It could take five days to show on your bank account or as long as several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail.
The IRS does not recommend filing the same tax return again, as it won’t speed up the process and may even cause delays. The agency says to resubmit a return if you are due a refund, have filed on paper over six months ago or the website does not your return was received.