If you’re eager to get started on filing your 2025 tax returns, the majority of online tax filing services and will allow you to start preparing your tax filings already. While you won’t be able to file them just yet, and may need to wait until you receive other tax forms, you’ll be able to save your progress and come back to those sections later.

Child Tax Credit: This tax credit increases by $200 year over year, to $2,200 per child for the 2025 tax year. It applies to single filers with annual incomes up to $200,000, or $400,000 for joint filers. Above those thresholds, parents may be able to claim a partial credit.

According to the order, it is “16 times more likely” for paper checks and money orders to be lost, stolen, returned undeliverable, or altered than electronically-disbursed funds. The IRS notes that every refund check it issues “costs the nation’s taxpayers more than $1,” while direct deposit refunds cost about a dime.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is making several major impacts on 2026 tax returns. Here are six notable changes that filers should know about for a bigger return.

Millions of borrowers are set to have their tax refunds seized by the government due to outstanding defaulted federal student loans.