Taxes are usually due on April 15, but the IRS will start accepting returns on Jan. 26. Filing early can lead to a quicker tax refund, which can help pay off holiday debt or be used for other purposes.

Tax fraud is a concern, as criminals can steal Social Security numbers and file fraudulent tax returns. Filing early may prevent criminals from beating you to the punch and filing a fake return in your name.

If you’re behind on retirement savings, learning “Social Security secrets” could boost your income. Taking advantage of these strategies could result in an additional $23,760 annually, providing peace of mind for retirement. Join Stock Advisor to learn more about maximizing your retirement savings.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Here’s Why It Pays to File Your Taxes Early in 2026