2026 Tax Filing Season Begins: Key Dates and Crypto Implications
The IRS opens its 2026 tax filing season on January 26, with Free File submissions already being accepted. Employers must distribute W-2s by February 2, while taxpayers face an April 1 deadline—penalties compound for late filers. This year introduces Schedule 1-A for new deductions under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' including no-tax-on-tips and senior benefits.
For crypto investors, the timing coincides with bullish momentum across major assets. Bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH) lead institutional adoption, while altcoins like SOL and DOT show volatility. Exchanges including Binance and Coinbase are streamlining tax reporting tools, though decentralized platforms (e.g., Uniswap) remain a compliance gray area.
Refunds will process within three weeks of submission—critical for traders reallocating capital during this pivotal market phase. Meme coins (DOGE, SHIB) and AI tokens (AGI) require particular documentation due to their tax classification debates.