Tax Day is Wednesday, April 15. Individuals must file their 2025 federal income tax returns or request an extension by this date. Filing an extension gives you until Oct. 15, 2026 to file your federal tax return, but you’ll pay interest on what you owe, according to IRS.gov.

Most taxpayers will file electronically. The IRS encourages electronic filing with direct deposit for faster processing. Filing electronically reduces errors, because tax software performs calculations, flags common mistakes, and prompts users for missing information. Most taxpayers qualify to file electronically at no cost, and when they choose direct deposit, they usually receive their refund within 21 days.

Taxpayers can avoid interest and some penalties by filing their tax return, and if they owe, paying the full amount due by the deadline.

Military members and some veterans can use the Department of Defense program MilTax for free return preparation and electronic filing.