When is the earliest date to file taxes in the US for 2025 tax season?

So this is my first time as a US tax resident and I'm super anxious to get my taxes done ASAP. I moved here from Canada last March for a job opportunity (loving it so far!) and I want to be really on top of things with my filing. My company already sent me an email saying W-2s are going to be ready by the end of January, and I've been keeping all my receipts organized since I arrived. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a refund based on my withholding, and honestly I could really use that money sooner rather than later (wedding planning is $$$ lol). What's the earliest date I can actually file my US taxes? I know the deadline is April 15th, but when does the IRS start accepting returns? I've heard different things from coworkers - one said January 15th, another said end of January, and someone else mentioned February. Does anyone know the actual earliest filing date for 2025?

0 coins

18 comments

CosmicCowboy

•8M

The IRS typically starts accepting tax returns in late January or early February. For the 2025 filing season (for 2024 taxes), they haven't announced the exact date yet, but based on previous years, it will likely be around January 29-31st. Even though you'll have your W-2 by the end of January, there are a few things to keep in mind before rushing to file: - The IRS systems usually need a few days to fully come online, so even if they announce January 29th, for example, there can be processing delays in the first week - Some tax credits and deductions require additional forms that might not be finalized until February - If you have any investments with 1099 forms, those aren't legally required to be provided until mid-February As a first-time US tax resident, you might want to consult with a tax professional to make sure you're filing correctly, especially regarding any foreign income or assets you may need to report.

0 coins

CosmicCowboy

•8M

For a straightforward return with just W-2 income, tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or even the free options should be perfectly adequate. These programs will walk you through all the necessary questions about residency status and will help determine if you qualify for any specific deductions or credits as a new resident. If your only income is from your US employer and you don't have complex financial situations (like foreign accounts over $10,000, foreign rental property, etc.), then you should be fine with software. The programs will ask about your residency start date and guide you through that process. Just make sure to answer the questions about your citizenship and residency status accurately.

0 coins

Natasha Orlova

•8M

I was in a similar situation last year - moved here from the UK and was super anxious about getting everything right! I tried doing research online but kept finding conflicting info about filing dates and what forms I needed. After wasting hours trying to figure it out myself, I used https://taxr.ai and it literally saved me so much stress. You upload your documents (W-2, any 1099s, etc.) and it analyzes them to tell you exactly what you need to know. Since you're a first-time US tax resident, it'll flag the specific sections you need to pay attention to. It also confirmed I could file in early February rather than waiting longer like some of my friends suggested.

0 coins

Natasha Orlova

•8M

It definitely helps with residency date calculations! It asks for your entry date and visa type, then determines your tax residency status based on the substantial presence test or other applicable rules. It saved me from making a mistake on my residency start date which could have caused issues. For your question about how it's different from regular tax software - it's more of a pre-filing analysis tool. It helps you understand your specific situation before you even start the actual filing process. It pointed out some deductions I qualified for as a new resident that I wouldn't have known to look for in TurboTax, plus it helped me understand which forms applied to my foreign accounts.

0 coins

Javier Cruz

•8M

Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai! I was struggling with exactly the same questions about earliest filing dates and first-time resident status. The tool actually caught that I needed to report some foreign bank accounts I didn't realize were required (even though they're tiny accounts back home). It also confirmed I could file as soon as the IRS opens - estimated January 30th this year - since my situation was pretty straightforward. Super helpful for peace of mind and avoiding mistakes that could delay my refund. Definitely worth it for first-time filers in the US!

0 coins

Malik Jackson

•8M

One thing to keep in mind - even when you know the earliest date to file, actually getting through to the IRS if you have questions is IMPOSSIBLE sometimes. Last year I had a question about my residency status that wasn't clear from the instructions, and I spent literal days trying to get through on the phone. Eventually I found https://claimyr.com which honestly seemed too good to be true, but I was desperate. You can check out how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they hold your place in the IRS phone queue and call you when an agent is about to answer. Saved me hours of waiting on hold! I got through to an actual IRS person who confirmed exactly when I could file and what forms I needed as a first-year resident. Way better than guessing or relying on random internet advice.

0 coins

Malik Jackson

•8M

It doesn't jump you ahead in line - it just waits in the queue for you! The way it works is they have a system that calls the IRS and navigates the phone tree, then holds your place in line. When a human IRS agent is about to answer, their system calls your phone and connects you. It's completely legitimate. The IRS doesn't care who's waiting on hold - they just answer calls in the order received. This service is just waiting on your behalf instead of you having to listen to the hold music for hours. I was skeptical too but it's just a clever use of technology to save you time. No rules broken at all!

0 coins

Emma Thompson

•8M

I have to eat my words about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I was still desperate to get an answer about my filing situation as a new resident, so I tried it anyway. Not gonna lie, I was SHOCKED when they actually called me back after about 40 minutes. Got connected to an IRS agent who confirmed I could file as early as January 28th this year (they're opening a bit earlier than usual). The agent also explained exactly which forms I needed for my foreign pension accounts. Saved me literally hours of waiting on hold and probably saved me from making mistakes on my return. If you're a first-time US tax filer with specific questions, definitely worth using.

0 coins

StarSurfer

•8M

Just want to add - don't rush to file the moment the IRS opens if you're expecting forms other than your W-2! I made that mistake last year and had to file an amended return because my 1099-INT from my bank came late. Also, if you had any foreign accounts or investments before moving to the US, you might need to file a FBAR form (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) separately from your tax return if the total value was over $10,000 at any point during the year. That deadline is actually different from the regular tax deadline.

0 coins

StarSurfer

•8M

You definitely need to file an FBAR for that account since it exceeds $10,000. It's not part of your tax return though - it's filed separately through FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). Don't panic! It's just an information reporting requirement, not a tax. You can still file your regular tax return early, and the FBAR is due April 15th with an automatic extension to October 15th. Make sure you also report any interest earned on that Canadian account on your US tax return (Schedule B). The fact that you're asking about this now is good - it's much better to handle it correctly from the start rather than having to fix it later!

0 coins