IRS Confirms Tax Season Opening Date: Here’s What Business Owners Should Do Now
Quick update from the IRS
The IRS has confirmed that the 2026 filing season officially opens on Monday, January 26, 2026. That is when the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2025 individual tax returns, with the standard deadline set for Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
If you are a business owner, this is your reminder to prep early, not panic early.
The big takeaway for business owners
If your personal return depends on business documents (like a K-1 from an S-Corp or partnership), your business return needs to be handled first so your personal filing is accurate.
If you are a sole proprietor (Schedule C), you may not need to “file a business return” separately, but you still need your business bookkeeping and reporting clean before filing personally.
Either way, the goal is the same: clean numbers first, filing second.
The “extension” claim: what’s true and what’s missing
You might hear that “wealthy people file extensions.” Extensions are common, but here’s the truth:
A tax extension generally gives you more time to file paperwork, not more time to pay what you owe.
If you owe taxes, you typically still need to pay by the original deadline to reduce penalties and interest.
Extensions are not a “trick.” They are a tool. The right move depends on your records, your tax situation, and whether you need extra time to file accurately.
Your January tax season checklist
Use this as a simple starting point:
Confirm your bookkeeping is reconciled (bank and credit cards)
Categorize uncategorized transactions
Confirm contractor payments and ensure 1099 info is ready (if applicable)
Review payroll summaries (if applicable)
Gather your key tax documents (W-2, 1099s, interest statements, etc.)
If you receive K-1s, confirm your entity return timeline
Want help getting it done the right way?
At Virtual CPAs, we help business owners organize the numbers, reduce surprises, and file with confidence, whether that means filing early or filing with an extension for the right reason.
If you want support for 2025 tax filing, book a consult at the link below.