The IRS has reported receiving nearly 164 million individual income tax returns for the 2025 tax season, a figure consistent with the numbers seen in the previous five years. Despite concerns within the tax industry regarding significant worker attrition and changes in leadership, which raised alarms about potential challenges for the filing season, the agency has successfully maintained its volume of returns.
As the IRS gears up for the upcoming filing season, it faces additional layers of complexity due to a lengthy government shutdown. This situation has resulted in delays in tax refunds and has impacted the agency’s ability to efficiently respond to taxpayers’ inquiries by limiting the number of calls they can answer.
Interestingly, as of October 17, 2025, the IRS has recorded a 1.3% increase in tax returns compared to the same period last year. This slow but steady rise indicates resilience within the agency’s operations despite ongoing challenges. The current situation offers a potential turning point; if the IRS can effectively navigate these hurdles, it may enhance taxpayer confidence and ease the filing process in the future.
Overall, with the tax season approaching, the IRS is poised to adapt and respond to the needs of taxpayers, fostering a sense of optimism amid uncertainty.