The 2025 tax filing season has commenced, as announced by the IRS.

The 2025 tax filing season has commenced, with the IRS accepting 2024 federal tax returns from Monday, Jan. 27.

The IRS launched Direct File as a 12-state pilot program in 2024, and in 2025, it expanded to allow residents in 25 states to file federal returns for free.

Over 140 million individual federal tax returns are expected to be submitted to the IRS by the April 15 deadline, with about one-third receiving a refund.

When are taxes due?

You can submit your tax return now on the IRS website, and it will be automatically filed on January 27, even though the IRS won't begin processing returns until late January. Employers and financial institutions have until January 31, 2025, to provide individuals with W-2 and 1099 forms for 2024.

The deadline for most people to file their income tax returns is Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at midnight local time. However, residents and businesses in certain areas declared as FEMA disaster areas may have more time to file their state and federal returns.

How can I file my taxes for free?

The IRS has expanded its Direct File program for 2025, enabling taxpayers in 25 states to file state returns without any cost. Additionally, the platform has been enhanced to accommodate a wider range of tax situations, including those involving the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Premium Tax Credit (for individuals who purchased medical coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace).

Users can claim deductions for health savings accounts, student loan interest, and educator expenses.

To be eligible for certain benefits, you must meet certain criteria, such as being a W-2 employee, receiving Social Security or unemployment insurance, or having an investment income of less than $1,500.

If your state doesn't have Direct File, IRS Free File is a free online service for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less.

All of CNBC Select's top picks for tax software offer free tiers for basic returns.

Chime* has introduced a free in-app tax filing program that enables users to claim deductions and submit state and federal returns.

Find the right tax relief company

When will I get my refund?

Filing electronically and setting up direct deposit can result in a refund within 21 days, as long as there are no errors or issues. Filing a paper return by mail will take at least four weeks for a refund to be processed. One of the quickest ways to receive a refund is through an online tax-filing program like TurboTax or H&R Block, which offer both free and paid plans for various tax scenarios.

Members who use the app to file their taxes and set up direct deposit can receive their federal tax refund six days earlier, as per Chime.

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Chime offers financial technology services, not banking services. The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. provide banking services, and they are both members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).