When can I file taxes in Washington state? Know these key dates and deadlines
It’s that time of year again.
The Internal Revenue Service began accepting and processing federal tax returns on Monday, Jan. 26, marking the official start of the 2026 filing season, the federal agency announced in a news release.
About 164 million individual income tax returns are expected to be filed in this year, the IRS said, with most taxpayers filing electronically.
In comparison, the IRS received 140 million individual tax returns in 2025 for the 2024 tax season.
Here’s what to know:
How will taxes changes affect Washington residents?
“This year, several new tax law provisions of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill become effective, which could impact federal taxes, credits and deductions,” the IRS said in its Jan. 8 news release.
Some of those changes will affect tax returns filed for 2025, while others won’t take effect until the 2026 tax year.
For the 2025 tax year, the law includes permanently larger standard deductions; lower tax brackets; higher credits and deductions for children and the end of the federal electric vehicle tax credit, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
Individual taxpayers ages 65 and up can now deduct $6,000, while married couples filing jointly can deduct $12,000, according to My Free Taxes Washington.
Each taxpayer can deduct up to $25,000 for tip income and up to $12,500 for overtime income, although the deductions begin to phase out for folks making more than $150,000.
You can also deduct $10,000 if you bought a new car with a loan after Dec. 31, 2024, according to the free, IRS-supported tax filing service provided by the United Way.
When do I have to file my 2025 taxes?
In Washington state, the deadline to file both state and federal income tax returns for the 2025 tax year is Wednesday, April 15.
How can I get an extension?
Need more time? You can request a six-month filing extension, but you’ll still need to pay any taxes you owe by the April deadline to avoid penalties and interest.
You can pay your tax balance now or schedule payments online up to a year in advance, according to the IRS.
Where can I file my taxes for free in Washington state?
You can file your taxes for free through My Free Taxes Washington. The organization offers free filing for yourself, preparation for tax filing and in-person filing.
Eligible taxpayers can use the IRS Free File program to “prepare and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost using tax preparation software provided by the members of the Free File Alliance,” the IRS said.
Do Washington residents impacted by floods get tax relief?
The IRS is providing disaster tax relief for people and businesses in Washington state “affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides” that began in early December, the agency said.
Those taxpayers now have until Friday, May 1, to file federal tax returns and make tax payments, the IRS said.
Eligible taxpayers impacted by flooding will also have until May 1 to make 2025 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts, according to the IRS.
How can I file my taxes for free in Washington state?
You can file your taxes for free through My Free Taxes Washington. The organization offers free filing for yourself, preparation for tax filing and in-person filing.
Eligible taxpayers can use the IRS Free File program to “prepare and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost using tax preparation software provided by the members of the Free File Alliance,” the IRS said.
This story was originally published January 27, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "When can I file taxes in Washington state? Know these key dates and deadlines."