This year, the deadline for most taxpayers in April 15 with the April 17 for those in Maine and Massachusetts because of the Patriot's Day and Emancipation Day holidays
IRS Free File will be available starting January 12 while the IRS Direct File pilot will be rolled out in phases as final testing is completed. Direct File is expected to be widely available in mid-March to eligible taxpayers in participating states.
Although the IRS will not accept returns until January 29, most software companies will accept them and hold them until the IRS begins processing