Tax experts, including the IRS’ independent watchdog, have warned that this year’s filing season could be hampered by the loss of tens of thousands of tax collection workers who left the agency through planned layoffs and buyouts spurred by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

The IRS will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on January 26, 2026, with April 15 as the filing deadline, though the filing season could be hampered by the loss of tens of thousands of tax collection workers and major tax law changes.