2025 Tax Filing Must-Knows
- PurpleAnts
- Dec 31, 2025
- 4 min read
With the tax season approaching, this year brings updates such as an increased standard deduction, adjusted tax rates, and changes to various credits and deductions. Here are the key details you need to know for the 2025 tax filing:
Key tax deadlines for 2026
Tax deadlines vary based on your situation (employee, self-employed, retired). Below are the key dates to know:
January
Jan 15, 2026 – Q4 estimated tax payment due for 2025 (self-employed or income without withholding)
Late January 2026 – IRS expected to begin accepting 2025 tax returns
Jan 31, 2026
Employers must send W-2 forms
Certain 1099 forms (including 1099-NEC and some 1099-MISC) must be sent
February
Feb 17, 2026 – Deadline to submit a new Form W-4 if you claim exemption from withholding
April
April 1, 2026 – Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) deadline if you turned 73 in 2025
April 15, 2026 (Tax Day)
File your 2025 federal tax return
Most state tax returns due
Request a filing extension (Form 4868) and pay any taxes owed
Last day to contribute to IRA and HSA for 2025
Q1 estimated tax payment for 2026 due
June
June 15, 2026 – Q2 estimated tax payment due for 2026
September
Sept 15, 2026 – Q3 estimated tax payment due for 2026
October
Oct 15, 2026 – Extended deadline to file your 2025 tax return (if you filed an extension)
December
Dec 31, 2026 – RMD deadline for 2026 (age 73+)
January (2027)
Jan 15, 2027 – Q4 estimated tax payment due for 2026
Standard Deduction Overview
The standard deduction lets many taxpayers reduce their taxable income by a fixed amount set by the IRS. The amount depends on your filing status and is the same for all eligible taxpayers with that status, with some exceptions.
Standard Deduction for 2025
Filing Status | Standard Deduction |
Single | $15,750 |
Married Filing Jointly | $31,500 |
Married Filing Separately | $15,750 |
Head of Household | $23,625 |
Extra Deduction for Age 65 or Older and/or Blindness
Filing Status | Extra Deduction |
Single or Head of Household: Blind or 65+ | $2,000 |
Single or Head of Household: Blind and 65+ | $4,000 |
Married Filing Jointly or Separately: Blind or 65+ | $1,600 per person |
Married Filing Jointly or Separately: Blind and 65+ | $3,200 per person |
Additionally, those 65+ (and their spouse if filing jointly) can claim a $6,000 deduction per qualified individual per year from 2025–2028.
This extra deduction phases out if income exceeds:
$75,000 for single filers
$150,000 for joint filers
Reduction: 6% of every dollar above the limit
Examples of standard deduction calculation:
Single filer, 65+, not blind → total deductions could reach $23,750 in 2025
Married filing jointly, both 65+, not blind → total deductions could reach $46,700 in 2025
If you’re unsure of your filing status, the IRS provides a quick tutorial to help determine it.
Federal Income Tax Rates and Brackets for 2025
In 2025, all tax brackets are adjusted for inflation. The federal income tax has seven rates: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%.
The top rate of 37% applies to:
Single filers with taxable income over $626,350
Married filing jointly with taxable income over $751,600
2025 Tax Brackets by Filing Status
Tax Rate | Single Filers | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
10% | $0 – $11,925 | $0 – $23,850 | $0 – $17,000 |
12% | $11,925 – $48,475 | $23,850 – $96,950 | $17,000 – $64,850 |
22% | $48,475 – $103,350 | $96,950 – $206,700 | $64,850 – $103,350 |
24% | $103,350 – $197,300 | $206,700 – $394,600 | $103,350 – $197,300 |
32% | $197,300 – $250,525 | $394,600 – $501,050 | $197,300 – $250,500 |
35% | $250,525 – $626,350 | $501,050 – $751,600 | $250,500 – $626,350 |
37% | $626,350+ | $751,600+ | $626,350+ |
OBBBA Tax Changes: Key Highlights
Public Law 119-21, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), introduces several new or expanded deductions that individuals can claim, many of which take effect starting in 2025:
New deduction for qualified tips – Up to $25,000 per taxpayer ($50,000 for married filing jointly). Applies to both itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers. Phase-out starts at MAGI $150,000 ($300,000 joint).
New deduction for qualified overtime compensation – Up to $12,500 per taxpayer ($25,000 joint). Phase-out starts at MAGI $150,000 ($300,000 joint).
New deduction for qualified passenger vehicle loan interest – Up to $10,000 per year. Phase-out starts at MAGI $100,000 ($200,000 joint). Applies to loans for eligible passenger vehicles purchased new in 2025.
Enhanced deduction for seniors (age 65+) – Additional $6,000 per individual ($12,000 if both spouses qualify). Phase-out starts at MAGI $75,000 ($150,000 joint).
Increase in the standard deduction:
Married Filing Jointly / Qualifying Surviving Spouse: $31,500
Head of Household: $23,625
Single / Married Filing Separately: $15,750
Increase in the limit for state and local tax (SALT) deductions – Now up to $40,000 ($20,000 if married filing separately). Phase-out starts at MAGI $500,000 ($250,000 separately).
Updates to the child tax credit – Maximum per qualifying child increased to $2,200 (from $2,000).
For more information, you might refer to Key OBBBA Tax Changes Taking Effect for 2025 Filing
Basic documents You May Need to Gather for Filing
W-2 Form – Provided by your employer. This form shows the income you earned in 2024 and the taxes withheld.
1098 Form – Shows the mortgage or student loan interest you paid.
1099 Form – Reports income as an independent contractor or unemployment benefits. You may also receive a 1099-INT reporting interest earned from savings accounts.
Records of any stocks or other investments sold in 2024, including cryptocurrency or other digital assets.
1098-T Form – Reports tuition and other higher education expenses.
For a detailed document checklist, you might refer to our tax filing checklist
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