Early-Bird Tips: Why Filing Early Matters This Tax Season
- Steve Julal
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The IRS began accepting and processing tax returns for the 2025 tax year on January 29th, marking the beginning of the 2026 filing season. With tax season now in progress, many taxpayers may be considering whether it’s advantageous to submit their returns early, especially if they typically wait until mid-April or intend to request an extension.
Filing sooner rather than later this year provides several key benefits, such as reducing the risk of fraud, getting refunds faster, and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Protecting yourself from Tax Identity Theft
Filing taxes early offers a significant advantage by lowering the likelihood of tax identity theft. Tax identity theft involves the unauthorized use of stolen personal details, such as a Social Security number, to submit a fraudulent tax return and obtain a refund under another individual's identity.
Because the IRS processes returns on a first-come, first-served basis, the first return filed under your Social Security number is generally treated as legitimate. If a thief files before you do, resolving the issue can take months and may significantly delay your refund. Filing early helps ensure your legitimate return reaches the IRS first, making it far more difficult for fraudsters to succeed.
Faster Access to Refunds
Another key benefit to filing early is getting your refund sooner. The IRS expects to issue most refunds within 21 days, and many taxpayers receive their money even faster if they file electronically and choose direct deposit.
Direct deposit is the safest way to receive a refund. It avoids the risk of a paper check being lost, stolen, delayed in the mail, or returned to the IRS as undeliverable. For taxpayers relying on their refund for savings, debt reduction, or major expenses, filing early can provide quicker access to those funds.
More Time to Fix Issues & Plan Ahead if you Owe
Filing early also gives you breathing room. If the IRS identifies an error, requests additional information, or rejects a return due to missing or incorrect data, you’ll have more time to address the issue well before the April deadline.
Filing your taxes early also helps you plan more effectively. If you find out you owe more than anticipated, you'll still have time to consider payment plans, change your current year's withholding, or save up before the deadline.
Reduced Stress during Peak Filing Season
As the April deadline approaches, IRS systems, tax professionals, and customer support channels become increasingly busy. Filing early can help you avoid last-minute pressure, scheduling challenges, and processing slowdowns that often occur later in the season.
By beginning your tax filing early, you can stay organized and reduce stress, ensuring your return is completed confidently ahead of the busy season.
Ready to file? We’re here to help. New to VAAS? Schedule a meeting with one of our tax Advisors to get started.
