New IRS boss confuses millions with tax timeline mix-up that could force Americans to file late

AS we inch closer and closer to the 2026 tax season, the new IRS commissioner’s recent statement has sparked mass confusion.

The top boss of the federal agency has concerned millions of Americans with a tax timeline mix-up regarding the start of the next tax season, potentially forcing Americans to file later.

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Billy Long, the new IRS commissioner, sparked fears following his claims about the start date of the 2026 filing season[/caption]

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Americans may be forced to file their taxes later than ever, according to Long’s claims[/caption]

Although it may feel like 2025 started just a few weeks ago, the end of the calendar year will be here before we know it.

This means that the 2026 tax season is right around the corner, but tax professionals are already concerned that there could be a delay in when the IRS starts accepting tax returns.

Fears were sparked after Billy Long, the new IRS commissioner, said that the 2026 filing season should begin around Presidents’ Day, which in 2026, falls on Monday, February 16.

Long made his controversial remarks during a Q&A session at the 2025 Tax Summit of the National Association of Enrolled Agents in late July, per an article from The Tax Adviser.

During the 2025 filing season, the IRS began accepting and processing individual federal income tax returns on January 27.

Should the tax collecting agency commence next year’s tax season on February 16 as Long claimed, that would mean a roughly three-week delay.

It would also mean that many taxpayers who submit their returns early would have to wait even longer to receive their tax refunds.

Long shared in the Tax Adviser article that he pushed for an earlier start to the 2026 tax season, claiming that IRS staff disagreed as they wanted more preparation time.

The new IRS commissioner, who Trump recently removed just two months after he was confirmed, said that he was told IRS workers would “need every day in there. But they have this thing down.”

The IRS generally takes a few months to prepare for an upcoming filing season, and staff informed Long that extra time was needed in part due to the slew of tax provisions under Trump’s recently passed One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

The IRS spoke out in a statement following Long’s comments, seemingly backing down from the commissioner’s claims regarding the delayed kickoff to the 2026 tax season.

The agency announced that the Presidents’ Day start date was not set in stone and the IRS has yet to settle on an official start for the next filing season.

“The IRS looks forward to another successful tax filing season next year, and we will announce the timing of its opening in the regular course,” the agency said in a statement to Tax Notes.

The IRS typically reveals the start date of the tax season in January, so Americans have another five months or so before the official announcement for the 2025 tax year.

2025 Tax Season

Tax season started on January 27 and folks must have theirs completed filed on April 15.

Those who fail to file by that time may face penalties.

However, taxpayers who need more time may file for an extension – this gives them until October 15.

The way to do this is by filling out Form 4868, the Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. 

This can be done by mail, online with an IRS e-filing partner, or through a tax professional.

While there’s no set schedule, the IRS revealed that taxpayers may receive refunds within 21 days of filing.

Just be sure to avoid making mistakes on any forms as that could tack on extra time.

Those filing through mail will likely get their returns within a month or could even face delays as the IRS processes millions.

As of January 31, the average refund amount totaled $1,928, per the IRS.

This is compared to the $1,395 for the same period in 2024.

The average direct deposit refund for 2025 was even higher, the IRS said, at $2,069.

To check the status of your refund, The IRS has an online tool called Where’s My Refund? 

This works within 24 hours of e-filing and generally within four weeks of filing a paper return.

MORE TIME, PLEASE

The tax collecting agency generally commences the filing season in late January.

Should the 2026 tax season fall on Presidents’ Day, that would mark the latest start to the filing season since 2021, when the IRS started accepting returns on February 12.

Long claimed that IRS staff were hoping for a delayed start to the season to give them more time to fully incorporate changes to the tax system under Trump’s megabill, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

Among the changes outlined in the budget reconciliation bill included a new deduction for seniors as well as new federal income tax deductions for tips and overtime.

The new legislation, passed on July 4, also features an expanded child tax credit, a larger standard deduction, and a higher cap for state and local deductions.

As the IRS eyes a delay to the upcoming tax season start date, the agency dropped another 2025 decision that millions need to see.

Plus, read up on how the Child Tax Credit just jumped $200 – but a new Social Security Number rule could nix it.