When can I file my taxes? What to know about California, federal deadlines
Tax season has officially begun in California.
The Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting and processing federal tax returns on Monday, Jan. 26, marking the start of the nation’s 2026 filing season, the agency announced in a news release.
“This year, several new tax law provisions of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill become effective, which could impact federal taxes, credits and deductions,” the IRS said in the Jan. 8 news release.
The IRS said it expects to receive 164 million individual tax returns for the 2025 tax year by the federal filing deadline.
Here’s what to know about key deadlines and what’s changed for this year’s tax filings:
Which California tax laws are changing?
The One Big Beautiful Bill includes several changes to the federal tax code, according to the IRS.
“President (Donald) Trump is committed to the taxpayers of this country and improving upon the successful tax filing season in 2025,” acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent said in the Jan. 8 release.
The law makes permanent many provisions that were set to expire under the 2017 tax law, while also adding new temporary and permanent changes, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
Some of those updates won’t take effect until the 2026 tax year — but others will impact tax returns filed for 2025.
“Prior to the passage of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, which delivered working families tax cuts, Treasury and IRS were diligently preparing to update forms and processes for the benefit of hardworking Americans,” Bessent said. “I am confident in our ability to deliver results and drive growth for businesses and consumers alike.”
For the 2025 tax year, the law includes permanently larger standard deductions; lower tax brackets; no federal tax on tips or overtime pay; higher credits and deductions for children and the end of the federal electric vehicle tax credit.
When do I have to file my 2025 tax return?
In California, the deadline to file both state and federal income tax returns for the 2025 tax year is Wednesday, April 15.
Taxpayers who need more time can request a six-month filing extension — but any taxes owed must still be paid by the April deadline to avoid penalties and interest.
This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 12:14 PM with the headline "When can I file my taxes? What to know about California, federal deadlines."
