Tax season in the United States typically runs from January 1 to about April 15 each year. For the 2025 tax season, taxpayers begin filing on January 1, 2025, with the deadline to submit federal tax returns being Tuesday, April 15, 2025. If April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline may be extended to the next business day. Extensions are available for filing paperwork but do not extend the time to pay any taxes owed. This period is when taxpayers prepare and submit their income tax returns for the previous calendar year, which in this case is 2024 income reported in 2025.
In some other countries, such as South Africa, tax filing seasons may follow different dates; for example, the 2025 tax filing season for individuals there runs roughly from July to October. In France, online filing deadlines vary by region and can extend into June. The UK has different deadlines reflecting its tax year schedules.
But focusing on U.S. tax season, the key dates for 2025 are:
- Tax season opens: January 1, 2025
- Tax filing deadline (Tax Day): April 15, 2025 (or the next business day if April 15 is weekend/holiday)
- Extension deadline for filing (if requested): October 15, 2025
Taxpayers typically receive income forms (like W-2s, 1099s) by the end of January 2025 to prepare their returns.
