HOUSTON – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the 2025 tax season begins Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.
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The deadline for filing 2024 tax returns is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The IRS expects over 140 million individual tax returns to be filed by the deadline, including millions from Texans.
The IRS is rolling out new tools and features for taxpayers nationwide, including Texans:
- Expanded virtual assistant features for text and voice queries.
- Access to dozens of tax forms on cell phones and tablets, with “save and draft” capabilities.
- New functionalities, including scam alerts and the ability to view electronic notices, request Identity Protection PINs, and manage payments.
- 284 notices redesigned for clarity, with more to be deployed in 2025.
Direct File will launch on Jan. 27, 2025, for eligible taxpayers in Texas. The program offers the following:
- Enhanced eligibility checks, chatbots, and live chat in English and Spanish. Support expanded to include new tax credits, such as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
- Texans were part of the 2024 pilot program, and the service continues this year with added features like data import tools.
The IRS Free File program is now open on IRS.gov.
Taxpayers in Texas with an Adjusted Gross Income of $84,000 or less can access free tax preparation software from trusted providers. One partner offers the service in Spanish.
Taxpayers can prepare returns now, with electronic filing beginning Jan. 27.
Filing assistance options for Texans
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE): Free help for working families, the elderly, and those with limited English proficiency. Texas has numerous VITA and TCE locations statewide.
- MilTax: Free federal and state tax preparation for military members and some veterans, including many based in Texas.
Key tips for Texas taxpayers
- Use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check refund statuses, typically available within 24 hours of e-filing.
- File electronically and opt for direct deposit for faster, safer refunds.
- Transition to electronic Series I savings bonds, as paper purchases via refunds end Jan. 1, 2025.
More than half of all tax returns are prepared by professionals. Texans should:
- Use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers.
- Select preparers affiliated with national tax organizations or authorized IRS e-file providers.
The IRS aims to maintain an 85% service level and under 5-minute wait times for phone assistance, building on successful 2023 and 2024 filing seasons. Texans can also benefit from expanded hours at Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the state.
Visit the IRS Get Ready page on IRS.gov for more resources to prepare for the 2025 tax season.