Here you'll find items of current interest — new programs, recent guidance or timely reminders.
Tax updates and news from the IRS
The Tax updates and news from the IRS page is designed to help anyone whether they are now preparing their tax return or are awaiting processing of a return or refund. It also has the latest updates on IRS letters and notices. Newer updates will be placed at the top of that page. The IRS will also provide critical updates through social media.
Interest rates for the second quarter of 2025
Interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2025. For individuals, the rate for overpayments and underpayments will be 7% per year, compounded daily.
IRS Individual Online Account tool
The IRS is making it easier for taxpayers to file their taxes by adding information return documents to their IRS Individual Online Account, helping consolidate important tax records into one digital location. Adding these forms to the IRS Individual Online Account enhances taxpayers’ ability to quickly and securely access their tax planning information and makes keeping track of it even simpler.
Tax deadline for farmers and fishers
The IRS reminds farmers and fishers who chose to forgo making estimated tax payments by January that they must generally file their 2024 federal income tax return and pay all taxes due by March 3, 2025. Because it’s on Saturday this year, the usual March 1 deadline is pushed back two days to Monday, March 3. Disaster-area taxpayers, including farmers and fishers, have more time to file and pay. This extension is automatic; taxpayers don’t need to file any paperwork or call the IRS to get it.
Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2025
The IRS announced its annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2025 with a warning for taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to watch out for common schemes, ranging from email schemes to misleading tax credits.
Tax Time Guide 2025
The IRS uses the Tax Time Guide to provide updated information to assist taxpayers in filling an accurate return. Taxpayers should also read Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals), for additional guidance and updates for tax year 2024.
IRS online tools
With the 2025 filing season underway and the anticipated high demand for IRS phone lines, the IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov and use online tools to get immediate answers to their tax questions. Online resources include the Let us help you page that covers most topics for filing season and beyond and free help online with self-service options.
In addition, the IRS provides tools to help taxpayers make informed decisions and choose the right tax professional to helping them avoid tax-related identity theft and financial harm. While most tax return preparers are trustworthy and provide high-quality service, some engage in fraud, identity theft and scams. Taxpayers must understand who they’re hiring and ask the right questions before handing over their sensitive personal and financial information.
2025 tax filing season is open
The IRS opened the 2025 tax filing season and is accepting and processing federal individual tax year 2024 returns. The agency offers free online and in-person tax preparation options for eligible taxpayers through IRS Free File, IRS Direct File and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
New guidance on tax treatment of certain leave programs
The IRS issued guidance on the income and employment tax treatment of contributions and benefits paid in certain situations under a state paid family and medical leave program, as well as the related reporting requirements.
New automatic enrollment requirement for 401(k) and 403(b) plans
The Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations addressing certain SECURE 2.0 Act provisions, including a provision generally requiring newly-established 401(k) and 403(b) plans to automatically enroll eligible employees beginning with the 2025 plan year.
Reduced refund delays for individuals with duplicate dependent returns
The IRS is making it easier for taxpayers to protect their information and avoid refund delays by accepting certain e-filed tax returns that claim dependents who have already been claimed on another taxpayer’s return.
Expansion of Business Tax Account
The Business Tax Account (BTA) has added new useful features, making the online self-service tool for business taxpayers available to C corporations. In addition, a Designated Official (DO) can now access BTA on behalf of their S corporation or C corporation. New features also include tax return, tax account and entity transcripts for the current tax year and some previous tax years.