The 2026 tax season is officially weeks away.
The Internal Revenue Service announced last week it will start accepting returns on Monday, Jan. 26 this year – on par with the late January starts of previous tax seasons.
In the meantime, you can prepare by starting to collect your tax documents now, the IRS says.
Here’s what else Wisconsinites should know ahead of the 2026 tax season:
When is the deadline to file 2026 taxes?
Federal and Wisconsin state taxes are both due on Wednesday, April 15.
When will I get my W-2?
Employers must send W-2 forms by Monday, Feb. 2, according to the IRS. These forms show how much you earned and how much was withheld from your paychecks.
Paper W-2s must be mailed or physically delivered by Feb. 2, meaning yours could show up a few days later if it’s mailed on the deadline. For electronic forms, employers must ensure you can access and download by the deadline.
What are the tax brackets for tax year 2025?
The IRS announces new tax brackets every year to determine how much you will be taxed based on your income level. You can find the brackets for tax year 2026 here.
Here are the 2025 tax brackets, which will apply on the tax return you file in April 2026:
What happens if you miss the tax deadline?
If you miss the federal tax deadline, the standard penalty is 5% of any tax due for each month the return is late, with a maximum penalty of up to 25% of the unpaid balance.
If you miss the Wisconsin tax deadline, the standard penalty is a late-filing fee of $50; delinquent interest of 1.5% per month; and a penalty of 5% per month of the tax required to be shown on the return, up to a maximum of 25%.
Are there exceptions to the April 15 tax deadline?
Any taxpayer can request a deadline extension on filing their tax returns, as long as they do so before the original April 15 deadline.
If you request an extension, you will have until Oct. 15, 2026 to file your 2025 tax returns. The extension is only for filing your tax return; you must still pay your taxes by the April deadline.
You can request a deadline by mail or through the IRS website: www.irs.gov/filing/get-an-extension-to-file-your-tax-return.
The IRS also often extends the tax deadline for taxpayers who have been impacted by disaster situations. In September, the agency granted a deadline extension on 2024 returns and other tax payments to Wisconsin individuals and businesses who were affected by historic flooding in August 2025.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When can I start filing my taxes in Wisconsin? IRS announces 2026 start date
Reporting by Maia Pandey and Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
