Taxpayers have until April 15, 2026, to file their 2025 tax returns, according to the IRS website. Many post offices stay open later on tax day to accommodate filers.
The 2026 tax season includes changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in July 2025, which may affect your 2025 return and potentially result in larger refunds for many taxpayers.
If you miss the filing deadline, penalties stack quickly. The IRS charges a 5% penalty each month you don't file, capped at 25% of the additional taxes you owe. If you file more than 60 days late, you face a minimum penalty of $435 or 100% of your unpaid taxes, whichever is smaller.
File anyway if you can't pay. The failure to file penalty is far steeper than the failure to pay penalty, which runs only 0.5% per month, capped at 25%. If you can't complete your return, file an extension. However, an extension to file does not extend your payment deadline. Interest and penalties begin accruing after April 15 if you owe.
To minimize interest charges, pay at least 90% of your taxes by the April 15 deadline. The IRS charges interest quarterly, calculated by adding three percentage points to the federal short-term interest rate.
If you can't pay in full, contact the IRS to set up a repayment plan. You must file all required returns first.
For debts under $100,000 that you can repay within 120 days, request a short-term payment plan. For larger debts or longer timelines, an installment agreement (Form 9465) allows monthly payments and reduces the failure to pay penalty to 0.25% monthly. Debts over $25,000 require automatic withdrawals via Direct Debit Installment Agreement, which carries a $31 setup fee. Non-automated payments for debts under $25,000 cost $149 to set up.
Tax debt over $50,000 requires submitting Form 433-A (Collection Information Statement) along with Form 9465. The IRS recommends working with a tax professional for debt at this level.
You can also file Form 843 to request abatement of penalties, though the IRS has no fixed standards for approval.