In early January, the IRS announced that the first day for filing 2025 tax returns would be today, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. If you're expecting a tax refund this year, there's usually no reason not to file your income taxes as early as possible, and today is your very first opportunity to do so.

Your filing status affects everything from your tax brackets to whether you have to file at all. Here’s how the rules work.