From standard deductions to adoption credits, the IRS has announced major updates that could impact your tax return this year.

The IRS started accepting 2024 tax returns on Jan. 27, and on Friday the agency posted the statistics so far from tax season 2025. This year's numbers show that the agency has already processed more than 23 million returns and issued more than 8 million tax refunds.

The IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.

This is the big one. April 15 is the deadline to file your federal income tax return for 2024 unless you request an extension. It's also the deadline to pay any taxes owed to avoid late payment penalties and interest. If you're making estimated payments for 2025, the first quarterly payment is also due on this day.

The layoffs at the Internal Revenue Service came alongside additional firings at the Transportation Security Administration and the C.I.A.

Some collections and audits are likely to be paused, and one-on-one personal service is set to be more limited.

The IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills.

As tax season approaches, it's crucial to understand the timelines and options available to you. The IRS will begin accepting 2024 tax returns in late January, but early filers can get a head start.