12/29/2025
Updated: Dec. 28, 2025
The coming income tax filing season is still a month away, but there are many questions and uncertainties. Fortunately, the IRS is usually pretty timely in sending refunds to most income tax filers (at least those who file on time, and without too many complicated issues on their returns).
With new tax laws under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, President Trumpβs broad law that passed in July 2025, to the government shutdown and cuts to IRS staff β there are some new tax issues this year. Also, there are changes to how (or if) some people will be taxed on tip income, to tariff challenges, to a likely increase in new forms for the new year.
If you just want to jump to the Tax Refund Chart below, click here or scroll down.
CPA Practice Advisor has been producing this handy, βWhen will I get my income tax refundβ chart since 2014. In that time, the country has gone through three presidents, numerous tax law changes, several government shutdowns, and the Covid pandemic in 2020 that caused the most dramatic changes to the income tax filing calendar than ever before. In that year, the tax deadline was pushed back several times, mostly due to closures of government offices, but also because of new work-from-home conditions that became more prevalent.
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For the tax filing season in 2026, no major changes to the calendar are expected β BUT β several significant changes may affect some taxpayers this year, including those with new car loans, retirees, no tax on some overtime pay and tips for some workers, an increase in the child tax credit, and many other deductions and credits. Also, the IRS says it will no longer issues paper refund checks β Direct Deposit is a must. For users without a traditional bank account, several prepaid debit cards are available on the market, but watch out for fees.
Click here to see a comprehensive guide to the 2025 tax changes as a result of the 2025 OBBBA tax law.