Typically the IRS begins accepting and processing individual tax returns in late January. The agency has now pushed back the start of filing to FEBRUARY 12, 2021 for returns for the tax year 2020.
Though the start of tax filing season is postponed by a couple of weeks, the government says it expects to pay most refunds reasonably quickly. The IRS has also said it wants to make sure people receive any remaining stimulus payments as quickly as possible.
The deadline to file has not changed. You still have to file the tax return by April 15, 2021.