Tax season is officially underway.

The Internal Revenue Service will start processing tax returns today (Monday, Jan. 27). The agency expects more than 140 million individual tax returns for tax year 2024 to be filed ahead of the Tuesday, April 15 federal deadline.

“This has been a historic period of improvement for the IRS, and people will see additional tools and features to help them with filing their taxes this tax season,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said. “These taxpayer-focused improvements we’ve done so far are important, but they are just the beginning of what the IRS needs to do. More can be done with continued investment in the nation’s tax system.”

Here’s what you need to know about Tax Season 2025:

How to file for free

Filers with Adjusted Gross Income, known as AGI, of less than $84,000 can use IRS Free File to complete returns at no charge. Free File offers tax preparation software from eight companies and gives free online access to preparation and filing software.

Taxpayers with an AGI above $84,000 can use the Free File Fillable Forms starting Jan. 27. That service is available to all taxpayers, regardless of income, place of residence or age.

In addition to Free File and Direct File, there are other ways to file for free:

• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly – Taxpayers can find organizations in their community with IRS-certified volunteers that provide free tax help for eligible taxpayers including working families, the elderly, the disabled and people who speak limited English.
• MilTax. A Department of Defense program, MilTax generally offers free return preparation and electronic filing software for federal income tax returns and up to three state income tax returns for all military members, and some veterans, with no income limit.

Where’s my refund?

Most refunds for electronically submitted returns who use the direct deposit option are issued in less than 21 days. You can track your refund using the IRS Where’s My Refund? Tool. Information updates once a day so there’s no need to check back multiple times in 24-hours.

Filers with paper returns can expect a refund within four weeks.

Why you should always use direct deposit for your tax refund

The IRS urges taxpayers to always use direct deposit for their refunds.

According to the Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service, paper refund checks are 16 times more likely to have an issue, like the check being lost, misdirected, stolen or uncashed. People should check FDIC and National Credit Union Administration websites if they don’t have a bank account. Veterans can use the Veterans Benefits Banking Program to find participating financial institutions.

Need help filing?

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers have expanded hours for in-person help during tax season. You can find your local center here.

Direct File

The IRS Direct File program is expanding to 25 states this year.

Eligible taxpayers in 25 states will be able to file their taxes for free starting Jan. 27.

During last year’s pilot, Direct File was available in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington State and Wyoming. For the 2025 tax filing season, Direct File will also be available in Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The program uses a data import tool will allow taxpayers to opt-in to automatically import data from their IRS account, including personal information, the taxpayer’s IP PIN and some information from the taxpayer’s W-2. Taxpayers will then be able to use a new chat bot to guide them through the eligibility checker and a live chat for real-time assistance.

Also, this year, Direct File will cover more tax situations. During the pilot, Direct File supported taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents. This year, Direct File will also cover taxpayers claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Credit for the Elderly and Disabled and Retirement Savings Contribution Credits.