Money IRS tax season 2021 officially kicks off Feb. 12. Here’s why it starts so late January 15, 2021January 15, 2021 Jessica Menton, USA TODAY Comments Off on IRS tax season 2021 officially kicks off Feb. 12. Here’s why it starts so late The IRS will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax returns on Feb. 12. But why so late this year?