For 2026 income, the deadline for most people is Thursday, April 15, 2027. E-filing usually opens in late January, and the exact start date is announced in January. An extension gives you until Friday, October 15, 2027 to file, but any tax you owe is still due April 15.
On this page
Key dates for 2026 returns
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Late January 2027 | E-filing opens. The exact date is announced in January. |
| February 1, 2027 | Employers' deadline to send W-2s (January 31 falls on a Sunday). Most 1099s arrive around the same time. |
| Mid-February 2027 | Refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit start to be released. |
| April 15, 2027 | Deadline to file and to pay what you owe, and the last day to request an extension. |
| October 15, 2027 | Deadline to file if you requested an extension. |
Before you file
Wait until you have every form you'll need. Filing early without a W-2 or a 1099 usually means amending your return later, which takes longer than waiting a few days.
- W-2s from every job you had in 2026
- 1099s for side work, interest, unemployment or retirement income
- Last year's AGI or Self-Select PIN, to sign your e-file. See where to find it
- Your Identity Protection PIN, if you have one. See e-file PINs
Need more time? How an extension works
Filing Form 4868 by April 15 gives you until October 15 to file. It doesn't give you more time to pay. If you expect to owe, estimate it and pay what you can by April 15 to keep interest and penalties down.
Missed the deadline?
File as soon as you can. If you owe, the late-filing penalty is usually much larger than the late-payment penalty, so filing on time matters even when you can't pay in full. If you're owed a refund, there's no late-filing penalty, but you generally have three years to claim it.
When a call helps
- You want to file as soon as e-filing opens
- You need an extension, or you think you'll owe
- You missed the deadline, or have past years to catch up on
- You'd like a tax pro to prepare and e-file your return, as a paid service
Quick answers
Does an extension give me more time to pay?
No. An extension gives you until October 15, 2027 to file, but any tax you owe is still due April 15, 2027. Interest and penalties run on unpaid tax after that.
Should I file before all my forms arrive?
No. Wait until you have every W-2 and 1099. Filing without one usually means amending the return later.
I'm getting a refund. Is there a penalty for filing late?
There's no late-filing penalty when you're owed a refund, but you generally have three years to claim it, so don't wait too long.
Can a tax pro file my return as soon as e-filing opens?
Yes, once you have your documents. Preparing and e-filing your return is a paid service, and fees are discussed on the phone.
Have a different question?
Call and ask a tax pro. Open 8 AM to 10 PM Eastern, January through April.
No appointment needed.
More questions
Sources
- IRS: About Form 4868 (automatic extension to file)
- IRS: Refunds and Where's My Refund
- IRS: Filing past due tax returns
Checked November 12, 2026.