US Tax Filing Guide: Deadlines, Tips, and IRS Alerts

Taxpayers in the United States are reminded that the deadline to file federal income tax returns for the 2025 tax year is April 15, 2026, as confirmed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The agency emphasizes that returns must be filed and any taxes owed paid by this date to avoid penalties and interest.

The IRS encourages individuals to use free filing options such as IRS Free File, which is available to qualified taxpayers for preparing and submitting their returns online at no cost. Taxpayers can also access forms, instructions, and guidance through IRS.gov, including Publication 17, which explains federal income tax law, and the Interactive Tax Assistant for answers to common tax questions.

For those who need more time, the IRS offers an automatic six-month extension to file by submitting Form 4868 by the original April 15 deadline. However, the agency clarifies that an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay; estimated taxes owed should still be paid by April 15 to avoid potential penalties.