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.
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.
2025 filing season changes to prevent spread of scams and schemes
The IRS and partners in the Coalition of Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST) released changes for the 2025 filing season designed to help protect taxpayers from becoming victims of a scam or scheme and preventing tax professionals from having their credentials compromised.
California wildfire victims qualify for tax relief
The IRS announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in southern California affected by wildfires and straight-line winds that began on Jan. 7, 2025. Taxpayers now have until Oct. 15, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. The same relief will be available to any other counties added later to the disaster area.
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.
IRS reminder to disaster area taxpayers with extensions
The IRS reminds disaster-area taxpayers who received extensions to file their 2023 returns that, depending upon their location, their returns are due by Feb. 3 or May 1, 2025. Additionally, taxpayers who live or have a business in Israel, Gaza or the West Bank, and certain other taxpayers affected by the terrorist attacks in the State of Israel have until Sept. 30, 2025, to file and pay. This includes all 2023 and 2024 return.
Special payments to taxpayers who did not claim 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit
The IRS will issue automatic payments to 1 million eligible people who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. No action is needed for eligible taxpayers to receive these payments, which should arrive in most cases by late January 2025.
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.
Beware of promoters of fraudulent tax schemes
The IRS warns taxpayers to avoid promoters of fraudulent tax schemes involving donations of ownership interests in closely held businesses, sometimes marketed as “Charitable LLCs.” These promotions often target higher-income filers and are considered abusive transactions by the IRS. Taxpayers should remember they are always responsible for the accuracy of information reported on their tax return.