The arrival of the tax season often brings a mix of anticipation and anxiety for millions of Americans. As the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officially opened the 2026 filing season on January 26, many taxpayers find themselves asking a fundamental question: how long does it take to do taxes? The answer is rarely a single number, as the duration of tax preparation is influenced by the complexity of your financial life, your organizational habits, and the specific forms required by the latest legislative updates, such as the provisions within the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB).
Understanding the timeline of tax preparation is essential for avoiding the last-minute rush toward the April 15 deadline. For some, the process is a swift thirty-minute digital task; for others, particularly business owners and those with diverse investment portfolios, it can evolve into a multi-week project. By breaking down the average hours spent on recordkeeping, planning, and submission, you can better manage your expectations and your schedule.
The Average Time Investment for Individual Taxpayers
For the majority of Americans who file as nonbusiness taxpayers, the process is relatively streamlined. Historical data and current IRS projections suggest that the average individual spends approximately 9 hours in total to complete their federal tax return. This estimate encompasses the entire lifecycle of the filing process, not just the time spent clicking buttons in a software program.
The breakdown of these 9 hours typically follows a specific pattern. Roughly 3 hours are dedicated to recordkeeping, which involves gathering W-2s, 1099s, and receipts for deductible expenses. Another hour is usually spent on tax planning, where individuals look for ways to maximize credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit. The remaining 5 hours are split between the actual completion of the forms and the final submission process.
If your financial situation is simple—for instance, if you have a single employer, no dependents, and you take the standard deduction—you may find that you can finish your taxes in significantly less time. Many modern tax software platforms allow users to import data directly from employers and financial institutions, which can reduce the active labor to under an hour.
Why Business Returns Require More Time
The timeline shifts dramatically when business income enters the equation. Whether you are a freelancer, a gig worker, or a small business owner, the IRS estimates that business taxpayers spend an average of 24 hours on their tax returns. This significant increase is due to the rigorous recordkeeping required to track income, expenses, and asset depreciation accurately.
Business owners often spend 12 hours or more just on recordkeeping throughout the year and during the final tally. Tax planning for businesses also takes about 5 hours, as these taxpayers must navigate more complex rules regarding deductible business expenses and self-employment taxes. Completing the actual forms, such as Schedule C or more complex corporate filings like Form 1120-S, typically adds another 6 to 7 hours to the tally. For those with international operations or multiple state filings, these numbers can climb even higher, sometimes reaching 50 to 100 hours of professional labor.
Key Factors That Speed Up or Slow Down the Process
Several variables can either expedite your filing or leave you stuck at your desk for days. Understanding these factors allows you to take control of your timeline.
Organizational Habits and Documentation
The biggest “time-sink” in tax preparation is the hunt for lost documents. If you have a dedicated folder—either physical or digital—where you store receipts, donation acknowledgments, and tax forms as they arrive in January, you can shave hours off your preparation time. Conversely, if you are searching through months of emails and bank statements to find a single deduction, your 9-hour estimate can quickly double.
Choice of Filing Method
How you choose to file is a major determinant of speed.
- Electronic Filing (E-filing): This is the fastest method. Software guides you through a series of questions, performs calculations automatically, and flags common errors. Most e-filed returns are acknowledged by the IRS within 24 to 48 hours.
- Paper Filing: This is the most time-consuming method. It requires manual calculations and physical mailing. Furthermore, the IRS processing time for paper returns can take up to 8 weeks, compared to the much shorter window for electronic submissions.
- Professional Assistance: While hiring a CPA or tax preparer requires time for an initial meeting and document hand-off, it removes the burden of form completion from your shoulders. However, remember that tax professionals are busiest in March and April, so latecomers may face longer turnaround times.
New Legislation and Tax Credits
Changes in tax law, such as those introduced in 2025 that affect the 2026 filing season, can add “learning time” to your process. Taxpayers may need to spend extra time understanding new deductions or credits they are now eligible for. Reading through the updated instructions for Form 1040 can add an hour or two for those who prefer to be thorough.
The IRS Processing and Refund Timeline
Once the preparation is finished and the “submit” button is pressed, a new timeline begins: the wait for the refund. For the 2026 season, the IRS expects to issue more than 9 out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days for those who file electronically and choose direct deposit.
If you file early in the season—specifically in late January or early February—you are likely to see your refund faster. However, if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the law requires the IRS to hold those refunds until mid-February to help prevent fraud. In these cases, even if you file on opening day, your refund may not arrive until early March.
For those who still file by mail, the wait is significantly longer. It can take up to four weeks for a paper return to even appear in the IRS system, and the total processing time can stretch to 8 weeks or more, especially if the return requires manual data entry or contains errors.
Strategies for a Faster Tax Season
To minimize the time spent on taxes, consider adopting a “year-round” approach. Using apps to scan receipts immediately or maintaining a simple spreadsheet for business expenses can eliminate the 12-hour recordkeeping marathon in April.
Additionally, filing as soon as you receive all your necessary forms (W-2s and 1099s) is the best way to ensure a quick turnaround. Employers are required to send these forms by February 2, 2026. Once you have them in hand, dedicating a single weekend morning to your taxes is often more efficient than trying to work on them in small, distracted increments over several weeks.
FAQs
How long does it take for the IRS to accept my e-filed return?
Most taxpayers receive a confirmation that the IRS has accepted their return within 24 to 48 hours of electronic submission. This acceptance means the return has passed initial automated checks for basic information like names, Social Security numbers, and mathematical consistency.
Does it take longer to do taxes if I have multiple jobs?
Yes, having multiple jobs generally increases preparation time because you must wait for and organize multiple W-2 forms. You will also need to ensure that the total income and withholdings from all sources are correctly aggregated on your Form 1040, though most tax software handles this calculation automatically once the data is entered.
Why is my tax refund taking longer than 21 days?
Several factors can delay a refund beyond the standard 21-day window. These include errors on the return, incomplete information, suspected identity theft or fraud, or the need for additional manual review. Additionally, returns claiming certain credits like the EITC or ACTC are legally subject to longer processing times.
Can I file an extension if I run out of time?
Yes, if you cannot complete your taxes by the April 15, 2026 deadline, you can file Form 4868 to request an automatic six-month extension, move your filing deadline to October 15, 2026. However, it is important to remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay; you must still estimate and pay any taxes owed by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.
Is it faster to use a tax pro or software?
For a simple return, tax software is usually the fastest option because it provides immediate digital processing. For complex situations, such as owning a business or having foreign assets, a tax professional may be faster in the long run because they can navigate complex regulations more efficiently and help you avoid “red flag” errors that could cause lengthy IRS delays later.