New Delhi, Feb. 18 -- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set 15 April 2026 as the final deadline for most US taxpayers to file their federal income tax returns. Missing this date can trigger a range of consequences, including late-filing penalties, interest on any unpaid taxes, and in some cases, the loss of your right to claim a tax refund.

While taxpayers can request an extension to file, this does not extend the deadline to pay any taxes owed, which must be settled by the April cut-off to avoid additional charges. The 2026 filing season opened on 26 January.

Meanwhile, early filers expecting a "very large refund" in 2026 may have to wait a little longer than they planned if they claimed these two tax credits. According to the IRS...